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Denmark sees rise in hospitalised patients as health professionals face missing out on coronavirus testing

Ritzau/The Local
Ritzau/The Local - [email protected]
Denmark sees rise in hospitalised patients as health professionals face missing out on coronavirus testing
Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen : Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix

The number of patients hospitalised with the coronavirus in Denmark has risen to 206, with 42 in intensive care, according to the National Board of Health. This is a rise from 186 hospitalised patients and 37 in intensive care on Friday.

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The Danish health authorities predict that the number of admissions will increase in the coming weeks as more people become infected. Therefore, all non-emergency surgery has been postponed to make room for coronavirus patients.

Hospitals are also in the process of training doctors and nurses with other specialities to work in intensive care units.

It comes as three regions have temporarily stopped testing health professionals for the coronavirus.

The Region of Southern Denmark, Central Denmark and the Capital Region have introduced the temporary stop because of current supply problems and great pressure on capacity, according to two press releases from the regions.

The National Board of Health recently updated its guidelines on the management of Covid-19.

The guidelines stated that health professionals performing critical functions and exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 may be investigated and possibly tested for the coronavirus if their employer or doctor believed it to be quickly needed. 

However, due to the rising number of cases, it may be necessary for a region to give priority to testing patients who are most seriously ill.

So far 13 people have died in Denmark after being infected with the coronavirus.

1326 people have tested positive for the virus. This is an increase of 71 people from Friday afternoon. However only those with severe symptoms are currently being tested.

Health authorities announced earlier in the week that home-testing kits will start to be offered, in order to get a better view of the spread of the coronavirus in Denmark.

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