American and British troops in Norway test positive for Covid-19

They infected soldiers are among the 3,000 foreign troops who will participate in a NATO training exercise in Norway this winter.

 

“It’s important for our ability to defend Norway and therefore Norway’s security that the armed forces have mutual exercises with our allies,” said head of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Sivert Lervik in a press release on Monday.

 

Some 1,600 troops arrived in Norway during the first week of the year.

 

Lervik underlined that the army is working closely with local health authorities and institutions to prevent further infections.

 

“All foreign troops get tested as soon as they arrive,” spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces Eirik Skomedal told the trade publication Forsvarets forum.

 

“We were prepared for soldiers from abroad to bring the virus with them as the rate of infection is higher overseas than in Norway,” he added.

 

Additional test results are expected Monday and Tuesday this week.