Danish Covid-19 cases jump sharply for second consecutive day
Denmark registered 859 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, the second consecutive day on which a new record has been set for the number of cases in a 24-hour period.
The figure of 859 is notably higher than Thursday’s total of 760, which itself set a short-lived record as the highest daily number of new cases. The previous record was 678, set on September 25th.
The latest numbers reported by national agency the State Serum Institute (SSI) state 859 new positive tests in the last day from 44,244 tests.
That corresponds to a positive test rate of 1.9 percent, according to The Local's calculations, continuing an upward trend of test positivity rate.
The measure has been described as an important metric in assessing the current level of virus spread.
A total of 125 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus in Denmark according to SSI, an increase of 1 since yesterday. 18 are in ICU care – also 1 more than yesterday – and 13 of the 18 are receiving ventilator treatment, which also represents a one-person increase.
Hospitalisation figures are still far lower than during the first peak of the virus in the spring, when over 500 people were admitted to hospital for an extended period.
Three new deaths with Covid-19 were registered on Friday, bringing Denmark's death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 697.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already confirmed that Denmark will introduce increased restrictions in response to the country’s now quickly escalating coronavirus infection numbers.
“We have been through a period with high but stable infection numbers. We are now seeing a high number of infections alongside a lower number being tested for the last few days. There is therefore cause for concern and for me to stress the seriousness (of the situation),” the PM said on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Christmas parties face cancellation as Danish PM confirms incoming Covid-19 restrictions
A fast and effective response to the situation is now crucial, senior doctor at Aarhus University Hospital Lars Østergaard said.
“It is obvious to anyone that the number if infected is now largely increasing day by day,” Østergaard told newswire Ritzau.
Testing and contact tracing remain vital resources in the face of climbing infection numbers, he stated.
Long-standing recommendations on hygiene and social distance, along with requirements to use facemasks [on public transport and in cafes, bars and restaurants, ed.] remain as vital as always, he also said.
Østergaard further told Ritzau that it is important to limit the number of people in social contact.
Currently, Denmark still allows gatherings of up to 50 people. That is expected to change when restrictions are next tightened.
The prime minister’s office has announced a briefing at 6:30pm on Friday.
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The figure of 859 is notably higher than Thursday’s total of 760, which itself set a short-lived record as the highest daily number of new cases. The previous record was 678, set on September 25th.
The latest numbers reported by national agency the State Serum Institute (SSI) state 859 new positive tests in the last day from 44,244 tests.
That corresponds to a positive test rate of 1.9 percent, according to The Local's calculations, continuing an upward trend of test positivity rate.
The measure has been described as an important metric in assessing the current level of virus spread.
A total of 125 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus in Denmark according to SSI, an increase of 1 since yesterday. 18 are in ICU care – also 1 more than yesterday – and 13 of the 18 are receiving ventilator treatment, which also represents a one-person increase.
Hospitalisation figures are still far lower than during the first peak of the virus in the spring, when over 500 people were admitted to hospital for an extended period.
Three new deaths with Covid-19 were registered on Friday, bringing Denmark's death toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 697.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already confirmed that Denmark will introduce increased restrictions in response to the country’s now quickly escalating coronavirus infection numbers.
“We have been through a period with high but stable infection numbers. We are now seeing a high number of infections alongside a lower number being tested for the last few days. There is therefore cause for concern and for me to stress the seriousness (of the situation),” the PM said on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Christmas parties face cancellation as Danish PM confirms incoming Covid-19 restrictions
A fast and effective response to the situation is now crucial, senior doctor at Aarhus University Hospital Lars Østergaard said.
“It is obvious to anyone that the number if infected is now largely increasing day by day,” Østergaard told newswire Ritzau.
Testing and contact tracing remain vital resources in the face of climbing infection numbers, he stated.
Long-standing recommendations on hygiene and social distance, along with requirements to use facemasks [on public transport and in cafes, bars and restaurants, ed.] remain as vital as always, he also said.
Østergaard further told Ritzau that it is important to limit the number of people in social contact.
Currently, Denmark still allows gatherings of up to 50 people. That is expected to change when restrictions are next tightened.
The prime minister’s office has announced a briefing at 6:30pm on Friday.
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