Two worrying statistics have emerged today regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
New daily record
Firstly, there have been a record number of daily infections.
Some 7,146 cases were confirmed over the 24 hours up until Monday lunchtime – over 4,000 more than announced on Sunday.
The rise is blamed on a large number of tests, over 220,000, following a weekend of Christmas parties.
Omicron worries
Secondly, the number of new Omicron variant cases has soared to 183 in Denmark – a rapid increase that is worrisome according to Statens Serum Institut (SSI).
SSI director Henrik Ullum notes there is no obvious connection between many of those infected with people who have recently travelled.
There were 18 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant on Friday.
More contagious, less fatal
Omicron will soon become the dominant coronavirus variant, Professor Allan Randrup Thomsen told TV2.
Compared to Delta, in his opinion, the variant is more contagious, more harmful and more likely to be spread to previously infected people.
However, there have been no deaths associated with the Omicron variant, which has been detected in 38 countries, according to the latest statement from the World Health Organisation.
Government signs big corona package for health sector
The government has signed a coronavirus package worth an extra 1 billion kroner for healthcare, the finance minister, Nicolai Wammen, has revealed. The resources will be aimed at strengthening the healthcare system over the winter.
Pregnancy hazardous for unvaccinated women
Pregnant women are more likely to suffer should they contract COVID-19, reports the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority. Additionally, getting infected increases the risk of a premature birth and foetal death. In recent months, 11 out of 31 seriously affected women ended up losing their babies. The majority were not vaccinated. However, the Sundhedsstyrelsen report based on the data of 27,000 pregnant Danish women concludes it is safe to get vaccinated – preferably in the second or third trimester.
Big jump in sales of home-testing kits
There’s been a huge demand for coronavirus home-testing kits since the health minister, Magnus Heunicke, mentioned them as an alternative to the PCR test if one has no symptoms. Most of the pharmacies contacted by DR recently had sold out or were close to doing so. It is believed companies ordered a lot with their Christmas parties in mind.
Soldiers and emergency personnel to help test and vaccinate
The Armed Forces and the Danish Emergency Management Agency must from Monday be included in the task of inoculating and vaccinating citizens, according to Central Jutland Region. They are required, explained the region, to help reduce waiting times for tests and getting vaccinated.
Masks return for Scandinavian travellers
Since October, wearing a mask on SAS aircraft in Scandinavia has not been a requirement. However, that is changing from Monday, informs the company. Another Scandinavian airline, Norwegian, has also reintroduced the mask requirement pertaining to all its flights.
Greenlanders need negative test or vaccination to access public places
Greenland has introduced new restrictions that require the presentation of either a vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test to access public places and travel within the island. Facemasks are also compulsory. The new rules will apply until March 6. At present, 66 percent of the population have been vaccinated, while 71 percent have received the first vaccine shot.
Too few vaccinated in the Capital Region
There are fewer vaccinated people in the Capital Region than in the rest of Denmark, reports BT. This is illustrated by the vaccine centres in Fælledparken and KB Hallen. At Fælledparken, which has a capacity of 3,000, only 566 got vaccinated on Sunday. KB Hallen, meanwhile, has a capacity of 1,700, but only managed 336. In total, 940,802 people have so far received their third jabs – 16 percent of the population.
