The Morning Report

COVID news from Denmark, across Europe, and elsewhere

🇩🇰

The Staten Serum Institut can now detect specific COVID variants much faster than before.  

Since mid-January all positive COVID tests at TestCenter Denmark have been screened using the Delta-PCR test. However the initial test had limitations. It was able to identify the presence of a variant, but not which variant. Determining the specific variant had to then be done by sequencing the sample in question, a time consuming process. 

Since February 23rd TestCenter Denmark has been using the new upgraded Delta-2-PCR test. 

The upgraded test is much faster, delivering results within 12-24 hours. It is also able to identify and distinguish between a number of different corona variant types. 

• B.1.1.7 (British variant)

• B.1.351 (South African variant) 

• P1 (Brazilian variant 1)

• N439K variant 

• Y453F (Mink variant) 

• B.1.525

The Staten Serum Institut says work is underway to upgrade the Delta-PCR test again to enable the identification of any variant with the E484K mutation, also known as the escape mutation, because it helps the virus evade the body’s natural defenses.

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The Danish regions and kommunes are teaming up to ensure that vaccinations are accessible to seniors who require additional assistance. The move is aimed at seniors over 65 who receive care, and those over the age of 85, who might be struggling to make their own vaccinations appointments online or have mobility issues.

Extra staff will man phone lines to proactively call seniors and book them a vaccination appointment. 

Municipalities are going even further, arranging for transportation to and from the vaccination clinic, if needed. 

🇳🇱

An explosion damaged windows at a COVID test center in Bovenkarspel, Holland early this morning.

The center was not open at the time and police say no was hurt.

🇮🇹

Italy appears to be the latest country to see a rising infection wave fueled by the more contagious U.K. variant. Italy’s health ministry says the variant makes up at least 57% of all positive COVID tests. 

Yesterday it recorded 17,083 new infections and another 343 corona deaths. 

Italy is the latest country to see the U.K. variant sweep through schoolchildren. New infections among young people in Italy are now higher than among the older population, reversing the infection trend from last spring. Italian authorities have ordered schools closed in areas of the country designated as COVID red zones to try and curb the infection spread. 

🇨🇿

The coronavirus Situation in the Czech Republic remains dire. 

The country saw 16,642 new infections and 107 COVID deaths yesterday as numbers continue to trend upward.

According to numbers released this morning by the health ministry there are 8,162 people in hospital with 1,661 classified as severe cases, in both cases record highs. The Pardubice region now says it has run out of ICU beds.

Last week the Czech health minister said the country was weeks away from the health system being overwhelmed. 

New and tightened restrictions mandating mask use and prohibiting the movement of people came into force on Monday. 

🇬🇷

Infections are rising in Greece, despite the country being under a national lockdown since November. Yesterday it recorded 2,312 new infections, its highest daily infections number of this year, while suffering another 23 deaths.

Its hospital system is under mounting strain as rising admissions are resulting in fewer hospital beds for other patients. There are are 422 people on a ventilator, a record high number. 

🇧🇬

The coronavirus is also on the offensive in Bulgaria where it reported 2,403 new infections and another 83 deaths yesterday. 

🇷🇸

Nearby Serbia is also an area of concern as infections march upward with 4,157 new infection cases and 16 deaths yesterday. 

🇪🇪

Among the Baltic states, Estonia is seeing rising infection numbers with another 1,100 yesterday. It reported seven deaths.

As of today, new restrictions come into force with restaurants and eateries ordered closed on weekends. Further restrictions are also being considered as infections rise. 

🇮🇱

Israel, the world’s most vaccinated country, saw a rise in infections yesterday. 

🇵🇸

Palestine’s infection curve is also rising sharply. 

🇦🇪
The United Arab Emirates continues to be a COVID hot spot. 

🇨🇺

Cuba continues to be hit hard, with infection numbers far higher than they have seen since the start of the pandemic.