Background: The first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Norway was confirmed on 26 February 2020. Following sharpened advice on general infection control measures at the beginning of the outbreak, extensive national control measures were implemented on 12 March, and testing was focused on those with severe illness. We describe the first six weeks of the outbreak in Norway, viewed in light of testing criteria and control measures.
Material and method: We described all laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to three different surveillance systems under the Norwegian Institute of Public Health up to 5 April 2020, and compared cases reported up to 12 March with those reported from 13 March.
Results: By 12 March, 1 128 cases had been reported. Their median age was 47 years, 64 % were male, 66 % had travelled abroad, 6 % were hospitalised at the time of reporting, and < 1 % had died. The median age of the 4 742 cases reported from 13 March was 48 years, 47 % were male, 18 % had travelled abroad, 15 % were hospitalised, and 3 % died.
Interpetation: The distribution of COVID-19 cases before and after 12 March reflects different phases of the outbreak. However, findings must be interpreted in the light of criteria for testing, testing activity, control measures and characteristics of surveillance systems.