Coronavirus DK: Rise in infections may delay phase 4 reopening

The number of infections in Denmark has been rising (DK) in the past month, and some are becoming concerned. The level had been rather low for a long time, and although the rise has not been drastic, it has been steady in the period since the borders were opened. In week 27, which began on Monday, June 29, there was an average of 18 confirmed cases per day. In week 28, the number rose to 24, and last week it hit 34. So far this week, the level is 43.

On Thursday, Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke commented on the increase (DK) in a Facebook post. He wrote that the situation is still under control but urged people to observe the Health Authority’s guidelines. There have been no large outbreaks, added Heunicke, and the Patient Safety Authority, which is responsible for contact tracing, reports that the rise in cases is not owing to increased testing. 

Nevertheless, Heunicke notes that new lockdowns have become necessary in several places, such as Spain, Australia and the US, and urges Danes to be more cautious: “Maybe we have succeeded so well that people have begun to slack off a little on the good habits that keep the virus down. That must not happen. We must not put everything in jeopardy at any price.”

Few new hospitalizations
The most significant aspect of the situation, according to Henrik Nielsen, head doctor at Aalborg University hospital, is that the number of hospitalized and ICU patients has not followed the trend in infections. There is usually a lag of about two weeks between a rise in infections and increased hospitalizations, but the latter have held steady at a low level. Yesterday the total rose from 16 to 19, but it has been below 20 for two weeks. 

Phase 4 of the reopening is scheduled to begin on August 4, with the reopening of nightclubs, concert halls, and other venues where people congregate at close quarters. “We can’t see from the figures whether that will lead to a new wave,” says Nielsen.

The virus loves to party
The trend has led to a division between the two sides of the political spectrum (DK). The left wing wants to reconsider the planned phase 4 reopening. “It is very worrying,” says Peder Hvelplund, the healthcare spokesperson for the Red-Green Party. “It is crucial that we intervene early.”

Giving "disco fever" a new meaning. Photo: Mogens Flindt, Scanpix Danmark.

“Nightclubs could be something that I think it isn’t certain that it is wise [to reopen],” says Kirsten Normann Andersen of the Red-Green Party. She notes that it is especially difficult to trace contacts when you are close together with a crowd of strangers.

Typical political schism
Not all the parties are alarmed, however. “An increase was expected because we are opening further and people are traveling both in and outside the country,” says Stinus Lindgreen of the Social Liberals. “We have seen before that there is a rise and then it falls again.” Karen Ellemann of the Liberal Party agrees: “With these figures I don’t see a cause for concern because there is nothing to indicate that they are out of control.”

The Ministry of Health offered no further comments except to say that the government would discuss the phase 4 reopening with the other parties after the summer vacation. But the Foreign Ministry has just updated its travel advisory and now discourages unnecessary travel to Bulgaria (DK), where young people flock to beach resorts.