General

National Round-Up: Non-Westerners over-represented in Denmark’s coronavirus cases

Meanwhile, unemployment and organ donations see significant increases … and politicians’ credibility a more modest one

Luke Roberts

Over a quarter of those recorded as having been infected with the coronavirus in Denmark have a non-Western background, according to the Statens Serum Institut. This report comes despite the fact they make up less than 10 percent of the Danish population as a whole.

Greater risk 
The report describes the fact that those from non-Western backgrounds “are to a greater extent employed in industries or live in housing conditions” that put them in a heightened risk category.

As a result of this increased risk, the proportion of people from these backgrounds who have been tested is significantly higher than for most groups. In part, this may also explain why a greater number of cases are discovered and recorded.

Unemployment soars 
On October 1, 6,700 people registered as unemployed in Denmark – 2,500 more than in a normal year, and the highest daily increase since July 1. Unemployment had been on the decline since July, but economist Anders Christian Overvad warns “the Danish economy is in a very fragile time, and if we look ahead, we unfortunately expect that unemployment will start to rise again”.

Life after death 
Since the start of the year, 104 deceased Danes have donated their organs to those in need – a 33 percent increase on the same period last year. It continues the positive trend seen in the country over the last decade, with the Danish Center for Organ Donation again calling for people to consider the option through their Organ Donation Day this coming Saturday.

“Politicians better, but still the worst” says public 
Pollsters at Radius CPH have recorded the highest credibility score for politicians in nine years – an increase driven largely by the increased visibility of the government during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite this, it remains the profession with the lowest credibility.

Climate inaction?
A new survey carried out by Megafon has found that 45 percent of those in Denmark – particularly its youth – believe the government is currently not doing enough to tackle environmental issues. Meanwhile, 14 percent believe the government is doing too much. According to TV2, when Parliament opens later today it will oversee the launching of 10 billion kroner’s worth of new environmental initiatives.

 

 

TOP STORIES

  • Gangs of Copenhagen

    Gangs of Copenhagen

    While Copenhagen is rated one of the safest cities in the world year after year, it is no stranger to organized crime, which often springs from highly professional syndicates operating from the shadows of the capital. These are the most important criminal groups active in the city

  • “The Danish underworld is now more tied to Scandinavia”

    “The Danish underworld is now more tied to Scandinavia”

    Carsten Norton is the author of several books about crime and gangs in Denmark, a journalist, and a crime specialist for Danish media such as TV 2 and Ekstra Bladet.

  • Right wing parties want nuclear power in Denmark

    Right wing parties want nuclear power in Denmark

    For 40 years, there has been a ban on nuclear power in Denmark. This may change after all right-wing parties in the Danish Parliament have expressed a desire to remove the ban.

  • Tunø: An island running out of time

    Tunø: An island running out of time

    The island of Tunø harbors a community of 74 adults and one child. There are no cars and only one connection to the rest of the world. Now, climate change threatens it

  • Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    The number of relocations across the Øresund Region is rising. As highlighted by 2023 numbers, Sweden benefits from a growing interest, especially among younger generations.

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs