by FHI shows that the winter wave is over. We expect the Covid-19 epidemic will likely continue to decline through May. There's no telling how small it is and how long it will stay small. Additionally, we expect the flu epidemic to be almost completely over in May.
The Covid-19 outbreak remains unpredictable. Therefore, it is indisputable that close monitoring and increased readiness are necessary so that possible changes in the situation are detected early.
Weekly new admissions dropped from a peak of 545 at week 9 to 137 at week 16. Weekly ICU admissions dropped from a peak of 58 at week 9 to 15 at week 16. The number of deaths per week has decreased from 197 at week 11 to 44 at week 16. Currently, almost only the BA.2 omicron variant is detected.
Most countries remove restrictions
Developments are more or less the same in the rest of the Nordic region and in Europe, with most countries lifting restrictions.
We have reason to expect a new wave from covid-19, possibly in fall or winter, or a new wave of a new variant in summer. It is also possible that the epidemic will remain moderate throughout the coming summer.
It seems that the peak of the flu epidemic is behind us. After the rapid increase in new admissions per week from 10-15 in weeks 1-7 to 374 in week 15, this trend reversed to 237 in week 16. So far this season has seen 1610 hospital admissions and 10 intensive admissions flu patients.
Mainly, the influenza A (H3N2) virus of the Bangladeshi variety is detected. This virus has slightly changed antigenic properties compared to the influenza A (H3N2) virus that circulated in Norway in the past and which was the basis vaccines for this season.
Source: Norwegian Institute of Health Public
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