Norway sees record number of daily COVID cases during entire pandemic

A record 5,138 COVID-19 cases has been registered in Norway in a single day

The majority of the Nordic nations are currently swept by a new COVID wave, and are seeing their all-time daily infection records broken or witnessing near-record figures, despite having some of Europe's highest vaccination rates and rolling out booster shots, Qazet.az reports citing Sputnik.

A record 5,138 COVID-19 cases has been registered in Norway in a single day, which is the highest number of infections since the start of the pandemic.

In Oslo alone, a record 1,117 new cases has been recorded, the Public Health Institute (FHI) reported.

Earlier this week, the Norwegian government introduced tighter new measures and restrictions in order to try and control the growing infection in Norway. Among other things, citizens are obliged to keep one meter's distance (a requirement phased out by the previous government in late September) and wear masks wherever social distancing is impossible (including shops, restaurants, and public transport). A number of restrictions on visits to private homes and public gatherings (including sporting matches, public events with fixed seating and funerals) have been introduced as well.

Furthermore, in another reversal of rules, the serving of alcohol will have to stop at midnight at bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, and a table service requirement will be reintroduced at venues. Thus, restaurants, bars, and pubs will have to close their beer taps when the clock strikes midnight.

Lastly, the government introduced a national recommendation for the increased use of home offices in workplaces wherever possible.

At a press conference on Tuesday night, Oslo City Councillor Raymond Johansen said that he was disappointed that the country once again has to introduce strict COVID-19 measures.