Very few influenza cases in Denmark

With the COVID-19 pandemic rumbling on, Denmark seems to have missed out on the annual flu season … so far

According to the State Serum Institute (SSI), Denmark has hardly seen any cases of influenza so far this winter.

In a usual season, about every fifth Dane is infected and 1,000-2,000 people die from the virus.

But SSI figures showed that there have been just 17 cases since September 2020. And zero people have been admitted to hospital.

READ ALSO: Restrictions set to continue through winter

Facemasks and washing hands
Between October 2019 and May 2020, about 7,600 cases were registered and almost 2,300 people were hospitalised.

Lasse Vestergaard, who monitors influenza and mortality rates thereof at SSI, said that restrictions aimed at reducing COVID-19 infections have impacted other viruses as well – including the flu.

Vestergaard told Kristeligt Dagblad newspaper that he expects flu cases to rise again once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.