Covid expert calls for caution in the coming days

The next few days will show us whether Covid-19 is circulating again in our community, says public health professor Pál Weihe.

“It is too early to say anything at this point,” he says.

“We will have a clearer idea in a few days when we get the test results from the 100 people currently in quarantine. By then, we will also know whether we have left out any people in our contact tracing.”

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The three new cases registered on Tuesday were the first instances of community spread in almost four months. Most Covid restrictions have now been lifted, and Dr Weihe believes it is too early to say whether restrictions should be tightened again.

“We recently shortened the quarantine period from six days down to four. This obviously increases the risk,” he says.

“But all in all, not least given the swift progress in our vaccination efforts, going back to 10 or 14-day quarantines would be too drastic. We could perhaps consider returning to six-day quarantines, but let’s wait and see how the next few days pan out.”

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With five active Covid cases and 100 people in quarantine, is it advisable to go ahead with the big parties and music festivals planned for the coming weeks?

“Our big strength is our flexibility,” says the professor.

“The people of the Faroe Islands have demonstrated many times that when we sense a risk, we become extra cautious and practice safe distancing. If we all exercise caution over the next few days, I still believe we can enjoy a relatively normal summer.”

No new Covid cases were registered yesterday. The daily numbers of positive tests over the past week have been as follows: 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3 and 0.

For further information about Covid-19 in the Faroes, visit corona.fo.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo

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