Fourth or Fifth COVID-19 Wave 'Likely', Danish Strategists Warn

© REUTERS / NIH/HandoutColorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (red) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (yellow), also known as novel coronavirus, isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland
Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (red) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (yellow), also known as novel coronavirus, isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland - Sputnik International, 1920, 16.09.2021
Subscribe
Despite Denmark recently becoming the first European country to ditch all coronavirus restrictions and declaring the pandemic "under control", citing a high vaccination level, the nation's strategists recommend that the government prepare contingency measures amid "worrying virus variants".
In spite of Denmark's recent reopening, the country's new COVID-19 strategy has been marked by uncertainty, as a fourth and even fifth wave of the disease has been deemed "likely".
A recent report by a panel of Danish government experts and medical professionals titled "Everyday life with increased preparedness" has advised the government to stay put and be ready to reintroduce drastic measures against COVID-19, should the situation deteriorate.

"We are in a good situation right now, but we cannot say that it is finally over. There is still a risk of new mutations, and the global rollout of vaccines has long prospects", Torben Andersen, the chairman of the expert group, said as quoted by Danish Radio.

The 80-point report recommended a two-pronged contingency strategy. One aspect is the so-called "basic level of COVID management", which balances between considerations of epidemic control, society, economy, well-being, public health, and freedom. The other aspect is about having a contingency plan that "supports a rapid escalation of efforts, in case the epidemic shifts to a more critical stage" amid "worrying virus variants that are emerging".

"It is likely that we will see a fourth or fifth wave of corona because it runs out there globally", Astrid Iversen, professor of virology and immunology at the University of Oxford and one of the members of the expert panel, said.

Furthermore, Iversen warned of a growing pressure on hospitals this autumn, due to a weaker general immunity in the population as a result of lockdowns, which means that people appear to be more susceptible to respiratory infections.
"When we enter the dark and cold time, we start to stay indoors more, and then respiratory infections have a better opportunity to spread", Iversen pointed out, warning of a potentially serious flu epidemic.
People queue outside the vaccination center in Oksnehallen in Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 12, 2021, during the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 09.08.2021
World
'Not Realistic': Denmark, Iceland Say Vaccination Has Not Led to Herd Immunity
Last week, Denmark scrapped all coronavirus restrictions and declared the COVID-19 pandemic "under control", becoming the first European country to do so. More than 80 percent of Danes above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated.
To date, the Scandinavian country has seen over 353,000 COVID-19 cases, with more than 2,600 deaths.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала