Why Denmark removes restrictions with coronavirus cases increasing

Denmark has taken a momentous decision: they remove coronavirus restrictions. It will no longer be necessary to wear a mask, nor will the bars have limited capacity, and they have reopened nightclubs and nightlife.

It is the first country in the European Union (EU) to take such a decision. The authorities consider that omicron does not imply a “danger” to their health or to the inhabitants, although the Nordic country has a high incidence: approximately 5,000 cases in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants. However, it had a high rate of people vaccinated with the booster dose, which, in the view of his Government, made it possible to take that step.

“We are ready to step out of the shadow of the coronavirus, say goodbye to the restrictions and welcome the life we had before. The pandemic continues, but we have passed the critical stage, “announced Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Why are they removing the restrictions?

We will analyze the situation in Denmark in the following factors: coronavirus cases, hospitalized and admitted to the ICU, vaccinated and tested.

In general terms, Denmark is one of the countries in the world where the most covid-19 tests are performed. It still has one of the lowest mortality rates in Europe, although it is one of the countries with the highest number of cases per Sars-CoV-2.

Denmark has an incidence of more than 7,000 cases, according to data from Our World in Data. It is positioned as the European country with the most cases. It is followed by Portugal and Slovenia. But in making a decision such as removing the restrictions, they have taken into account more factors besides the high number of cases.

Despite the high numbers of infections, the number of people hospitalized is not as high as in the rest of Europe. Norway, Portugal, France or Spain are above in hospitalizations, and with a lower rate of contagion.

If we look at the number of patients with coronavirus in Intensive Care Units (ICU), the figure is 26 patients, according to ‘Our World in Data’. Finland is another country with fewer patients in ICU (37), the rest of Europe exceeds 100.

If we compare it with Spain, which according to the latest health report has an incidence of 2,564.27 cases per 100,000 inhabitants at 14 days, the number of patients in the ICU is 2,010 hospitalized by coronavirus, which means 21.34% of ICU beds occupied by covid.

The percentage of people with the Covid-19 vaccine is also one of the highest in Europe, as in Spain. The first in the ranking are Portugal, Malta, Spain, Denmark and Italy. All above 80%. It would be another factor to be taken into account for the decision of the Danish government to remove the restrictions in the country.

In addition, for tourists wishing to travel to Denmark, some restrictions will remain in force. For example, tourists who wish to enter the country and are not vaccinated must present a negative coronavirus test and quarantine.

It is important to test the population for coronavirus. Denmark is also among the countries that perform the most tests per 1000 inhabitants.

Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Austria, Greece and Denmark have passed 5,000 tests per 1,000 inhabitants. They are the countries that most test Sars-Cov-2 among their population, according to Our World in Data.

Written by BayRadio