In Norway, unrest is growing as the doctor has met 100 patients and employees. Many patients in the ophthalmology department are older, a group that has so far been hit harder by the disease than younger ones.

"We take this situation very seriously," says hospital manager Bjørn Atle Bjørnbeth at a press conference.

The doctor must have come back from a trip in Italy last weekend, and had to work on Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, the staff experienced mild symptoms. The person then asked if it was necessary to test himself for the new corona virus, but got no answer.

- The person then was told that it was not necessary. This may be because the person in question had very mild symptoms, says medical director Hildre Myhren to VG.

Used mouthguards

The hospital has not confirmed that it is a doctor, but merely states that it is an employee in the eye department who has had patient contact.

According to Aftenposten, four of the infected colleagues have had respiratory problems, and are now being tested for the virus. However, the physician should have been careful to use oral protection in contact with patients.

The hospital has opened several information numbers where uneasy people can call, but the interest has been so great that many have been met by busy calls and instead called the emergency medical advice. This has led the hospital to ask patients at the eye clinic not to call.