About the programme
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The Norwegian Science Programme on COVID-19 seeks to address critical knowledge gaps for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, promote efficient research collaboration nationally, and help prepare for the next epidemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a national and a global crisis. Decisions must be made quickly, are subject to considerable uncertainty, and can have great consequences. There is an urgent need for more scientific knowledge to support these decisions, in order to understand the situation and to develop and assess interventions.
Our work
The Norwegian Science Programme on COVID-19 seeks to address critical knowledge gaps for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to facilitate efficient research cooperation nationally, and to help prepare for the next epidemic. The Programme seeks and encourages multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral work, with a particular focus on the following seven questions.
The virus and the epidemic
- How does the virus behave, mutate and spread?
- How will the epidemic develop?
Measures and consequences
- What are the effects of infection control measures on transmission?
- What are the consequences of the epidemic and the response on health in the population?
- What are the consequences of the epidemic and the response for society as a whole and the economy?
The health and care services
- How can the services best care for patients with covid-19?
- How can the services avoid negative consequences for other patient groups during the epidemic?
Organisation
The Norwegian Science Programme on COVID-19 has a national steering group which is tasked with mobilising research stakeholders and promoting collaboration. This group is led by John-Arne Røttingen, Ambassador for Global Health at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The programme is led by Trygve Ottersen, executive director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The programme’s secretariat is led by Merete Kile Holtermann.
| Priority project | Contact person |
| Living systematic reviews | Kjetil Brurberg |
| Systematic evaluation of infection control measures | Atle Fretheim |
| EpiCorona: Analysis of risk factors, risk groups, and consequences | Hanne Løvdal Gulseth |
| Rapid identification of COVID-19 and influenza in health care institutions | |
| Compliance to advice on infection control | Øystein Vedaa and Tone Bruun |
| Social inequality and COVID-19 | Thor Indseth |