Tag Archives: Longyearbyen Hospital
SVALBARD’S FIRST ‘REAL’ COVID-19 CASE CONFIRMED: Longyearbyen resident in isolation after likely being infected on mainland; case is second in Svalbard, first involving a resident
Photo by Longyearbyen Lokalstyre
The first Svalbard resident diagnosed with COVID-19 in the archipelago was confirmed Tuesday by Longyearbyen Hospital, with a doctor stating the patient was likely infected on the mainland and is now isolated after being tested during an early stage of the disease.
‘GOVERNMENT WILL PRIORITIZE’ VACCINES FOR SVALBARD RESIDENTS: Difficulty of coping if local COVID-19 outbreak occurs means accelerated schedule, starting w/ ages 46+
Photo by Elizabeth Bourne
All permanent Svalbard residents are now a priority for received COVID-19 vaccinations due to concerns about the lack of resources if an outbreak occurs, Norway’s government announced Friday.
COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE: Nearly 50 people in Longyearbyen have received at least one dose; all residents 65 and older expected to be finished soon; officials contacting next on list
Although it took a few weeks for more than a literal few doses to arrive, a total of 49 people in Longyearbyen have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot as of Friday, according to Longyearbyen Hospital.
SVALBARD RESIDENTS INFECTED W/ COVID-19 ON MAINLAND: Locals w/ virus must stay on mainland until isolation and recovery is complete; warning issued to returning travellers
Some permanent residents of Svalbard are getting a longer stay than planned on the mainland after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus during the Christmas holidays, meaning they cannot return until their isolation and recovery period is complete, officials at Longyearbyen Hospital and The Governor of Svalbard announced Wednesday.
The cases also highlight the importance of Svalbard residents to be responsible and take precautions when returning from the holidays.
ONLY FIVE VACCINES FOR SVALBARD: First shipment of COVID-19 shots arrives next week, hospital has ‘good overview’ of who gets them to ‘test our plans’; next shipment three weeks later
Svalbard will get “only about five” COVID-19 vaccines when the first shipment arrives in the archipelago next week and officials at Longyearbyen Hospital have a pretty good idea who will get them, according to a statement by the city.
The next shipment of vaccines is scheduled three weeks later.
COVID-19 SHUTDOWN – THE SUMMER SEQUEL: Not as big as the original, but city’s administrative building and most of Svalbardhallen again closed as residents return from holidays
A mini “surge” of COVID-19 cases in Norway at a time when many Longyearbyen residents are returning from summer holidays on the mainland and elsewhere is prompting city officials to close its main administrative building and everything but the swimming pool at Svalbardhallen.
Longyearbyen Hospital also issued a strongly worded reminder about the potential danger and necessary precautions since “it is easy to quickly done to forget,” and COVID-19 and infection protection are NOT fake news.”
NO POSITIVE CORONAVIRUS TESTS AMONG FIRST QUARANTINED: Hospital says symptoms resembling ‘a slight cold’ prompted action, urge locals not to overwhelm staff
There are no positive tests for the coronavirus a day after the first local quarantine was announced in Svalbard, an official at Longyearbyen Hospital told Svalbardposten on Thursday morning.
ON ALERT – NOT ALARMED – FOR CORONAVIRUS: Svalbard officials following advice, but no special measures yet as some on northern mainland fear potential impacts
“Thousands of Chinese tourists are currently in cities like Tromsø, Alta and Kirkenes,” and a case of the dreaded coronavirus case in northern Finland resulted in big headlines. But for now officials at Longyearbyen Hospital are following the recommendations of Norwegian health authorities in monitoring what’s been declared a global health emergency without taking any specific measures, although they can do so quickly if necessary.
Briefs from Svalbardposten for the week of April 23, 2019
11-year-old with lymphoma got life-threatening misdiagnosis from local hospital, mother says
Sander Higraff, 11, was recently declared cancer-free after six months of chemotherapy at an Olso hospital, but an incorrect diagnosis by Longyearbyen and Tromsø doctors lasting ten months after his condition first appeared in 2015 could have been fatal, said his mother, Kristin Woxholth.
Briefs from Svalbardposten for the week of Jan. 16, 2018
Organized fireworks celebration proposed for next New Year’s
A communal New Year’s fireworks show next year is being proposed by a Longyearbyen resident who says it will be safer and more environmentally friendly.
