In Denmark, the Statens Serum Institut is keeping a close eye on a number of cases of infection.
A new variant of coronavirus, which according to the UK health authorities is 70 per cent more contagious than other strains, is now triggering new restrictions in large parts of England.
This was announced by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson today at a press conference , where he said that in London and the south-east of England people are moving from crisis level 3 to 4.
– Based on the preliminary knowledge that we have about this new variant, and the potential risk that it poses, it is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you that we can not celebrate Christmas as planned, it sounded from the Prime Minister .
The variant of the coronavirus, N501Y, of which nine cases of infection have also been found in Denmark, is apparently no more dangerous than other virus strains.
But the number of new cases of infection has risen markedly in the UK over the past two weeks.
Where a month ago the new variant of coronavirus was seen in every fourth new case of infection in the London area, today it is over 60 percent.
Cases of the variant have also been found outside London and the south-east of England, but it is here that the majority have been found.
“The virus has gained momentum and is moving fast, and it will inevitably lead to a sharp increase in hospital admissions,” said Patrick Vallance, the government’s top adviser.
The new restrictions , which apply from Sunday and at least until 30 December, mean, among other things, that the inhabitants of the affected areas are not allowed to spend Christmas with anyone other than those they live with.
All non-essential stores and gyms should close and people should work from home unless that is impossible.
People are also not allowed to travel in or out of the area, and you are only allowed to meet a single person who is not part of the household, and it must take place outdoors.
According to DR’s correspondent in London , Tinne Hjersing Knusen, the closure is a defeat for Boris Johnson. But there was nothing else for in the given situation.
– From midnight, a third of the English will de facto be under tight shutdown again. This is the third time in a year and only a little more than a few weeks since the last one. But experts say the authorities have no choice.
– The infection curve has almost exploded due to the new variant of virus. It has been found in large numbers in London , where as many as 62 percent of all covid-19 cases are of this mutated variant. That is the reason why they have acted drastically and quickly.
Seruminstitut keeps an eye on Danish cases
The new variant of coronavirus has also been found in Denmark so far in nine people in the period between 14 November and 3 December.
There are six cases in Greater Copenhagen and three in North Jutland at the same address. Seven females and two males aged two to 61.
According to chief virologist, professor and chief physician Anders Fomsgaard from the Statens Serum Institut, they keep a ‘super good eye’ on the English variant – just as they do with several other variants.
– We have complete control over where they (the cases of infection, ed.) Are. And we are also keeping an eye on whether it should spread. We have a few in the binoculars, he says.
