"An Omicron outbreak at a Norwegian Christmas party is providing an early, if still anecdotal, data point on the ease through which the new variant spreads between vaccinated people, and how mild its symptoms at times can be.
Before Scatec ASA, a Norway-based renewable-energy firm, hosted the party, it took all the major safety precautions, said Stian Tvede Karlsen, a company spokesman. Only vaccinated employees were invited. All had to take a rapid test the day before. The Nov. 26 party at an Oslo restaurant, included about 120 people, several of whom had just returned from South Africa.
More than half of those present have since tested positive for Covid-19, with at least 13 confirmed to have the new variant in what appears to be the world's biggest Omicron outbreak outside southern Africa -- and a glimpse into how it fares in a highly vaccinated population. The Oslo health department said it expects more Omicron infections among the 64 Covid cases.
The cluster is remarkable because it took place in a bubble of immunized people, in a country where more than 80% of adults are fully vaccinated. It also provides signs of hope, however anecdotal and thin, that Omicron cases can turn out to be mild among healthy, vaccinated adults. So far, none of the infected employees are seriously ill, said Mr. Karlsen.
Still, the rapid spread, he, had said had taken him aback. "All of a sudden, 60 people. It's just insane."
Widespread vaccination likely has eased the initial burden on Norway's hospitals as the pandemic begins its second winter. The country is seeing more than 2,000 new cases daily, although authorities are still rolling out new lockdown-like measures to spare intensive-care wards from being overwhelmed. On Wednesday, data compiled by Our World in Data recorded 38 confirmed deaths that day, out of a population of 5.4 million.
Starting Friday morning, mask mandates that had been lifted were back in place, private indoor gatherings were limited to fewer than 100 people, office workers were encouraged to work from home, and bars are operating at reduced capacity.
Lab results from experiments into how easily Omicron evades vaccines are still a week or two away, leaving scientists to scrutinize outbreaks like Oslo's for early clues. The cases add to evidence that vaccines aren't preventing infections, though they might still prevent the risk of severe disease in most people, said Alexandra Phelan, an assistant professor of global and public-health law and ethics at Georgetown University.” [1]
Norwegians can be understood. Norway is in the north. Now it's winter. The sun is low, the mood is bad. There is a wish to drink something stronger in a fun company. Very strong wish indeed. There is also a strong wish to demonstrate that vaccines available in a rich Norway give some benefits. We are not some African country. We can drink during Covid time. Or maybe not?
1. World News: Norway Party Cases Provide Clues to Strain's Spread
Hinshaw, Drew. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 04 Dec 2021: A.7.
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