Key points from the Prime Minister's ongoing press conference on coronavirus

(Under Updates are coming soon… – Update complete.)
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen began a press conference at 10:00 AM, and these are the main points covered:

The press conference revolves around two main points: the government's strategy regarding Corona for the autumn and winter seasons and the current situation of increased infection in the community.

• We have a new strain spreading rapidly in Europe and here in Denmark. Infections have been on the rise for the past three weeks. This happened earlier than expected, and when it happens, we have to act as we are doing now.

• Those at particular risk should have the opportunity to receive their fourth dose of the vaccine before the summer holidays. New rules for the booster dose will be implemented next week, according to Mette Fredriksen.

• In addition to re-vaccinating particularly vulnerable groups, we must do everything we can to keep infections away from nursing homes, and therefore encourage nursing home staff to get tested several times a week.

• There are four main objectives for the Danish strategy over the coming months:
  Take care of the elderly and the weak.
  Avoid crowded hospitals
  Keep the economy running
  Avoid lockdowns and restrictions
• 2.5 million Danes will be offered a booster vaccination this fall. The vaccination plan will begin on September 15th, with booster vaccinations for the elderly and vulnerable, and from October 1st, booster vaccinations will be offered to citizens over 50 years of age.

• There is much to suggest that this will not be the last time we receive a revaccination, says Mette Fredriksen, addressing the unpredictable nature of the virus.
• The Prime Minister concluded her remarks by thanking the parliamentary parties for their broad support during the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging Danes to enjoy the summer. She then gave the floor to Health Minister Magnus Heunicke.
• The current infection rate is 1,958, with 249 patients hospitalized with the virus—a low and stable level, according to Magnus Heunicke. The BA.5 variant currently accounts for 591 TP3T positive cases.
• These are astonishing numbers, but they are low compared to what we have experienced before, says Hyoneke. He adds that the current variant is more contagious, but it does not cause more severe illness. He mentions three scenarios that authorities are monitoring and preparing for:
• The first scenario is a wave of infection with a subvariant of Omkron that we are currently seeing.
• The second scenario is a new variant reminiscent of the Delta variant. This could mean an increased risk of disease burden.
• The third scenario is a new variant that can evade population immunity.
• Magnus Heunicke says they are ready to ramp up testing capacity quickly: we can scale up to 200,000 PCR tests per day quickly, but he says that setting up tents with rapid tests will not be the plan.
• He adds that they are looking for a new treatment in pill form to prevent outbreaks of violent diseases.
• Søren Broström, director of the State Serum Institute, is now speaking and says that a new wave of coronavirus is expected to subside after two months, but no one can be absolutely certain about the coronavirus.
• During the summer, general practitioners will be able to prescribe booster doses of the vaccine to particularly vulnerable groups in order to prevent serious illnesses in advance.
• Moving forward, the focus will be on disease prevention rather than infection control. This strategy has three key elements: the target audience, the timing of vaccination, and the selection of the appropriate vaccine.
• Regarding the target group, age is the deciding factor, and therefore we are making a clear reduction in age, says Soren Broström.
• Moving forward, the focus will be on disease prevention rather than infection control. This strategy has three key elements: the target audience, the timing of vaccination, and the selection of the appropriate vaccine.
• Regarding the target group, age is the deciding factor, and therefore we are making a clear reduction in age, says Soren Broström.

• Regarding the timing of vaccinations, it is important that the vaccines do not come too early or too late, and therefore September 15 is reserved for the elderly, while it is open to all people over the age of 50 as of October 1.
• Regarding vaccine selection, authorities continue to offer vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. He adds that vaccines targeting specific variants are being developed, but he cannot promise that they will be ready for the next vaccine rollout.
• Henrik Ullum, director of the State Serum Institute, took the floor and said that when we look at the initial figures for the number of people hospitalized due to the virus, we do not see an increased risk of more admissions due to the BA.5 variant compared to the previous variant, BA.2. He added that Denmark had already experienced a large wave with the latter variant.
• In Portugal, there was an excess mortality rate with the BA.5 variant, and therefore it is precisely the elderly and frail who are given the booster dose first.

The conference concluded at 11:06. .