First things first: The most important points from the Ministry of Health's press conference on coronavirus

The Ministry of Health is currently holding a press conference that started at 12:30 regarding the coronavirus situation in Denmark.

The press conference will be attended by Health Minister Magnus Heunicke, State Serum Institute Director Henrik Ullum, Deputy Director of Public Health Helene Probst, Danish Patient Safety Agency Director Annette Laikke Petri, Danish Supply Agency Director Lisbeth Zelmer-Jones, and Danish Medicines Agency Director Lars Bo Nielsen.

These are the most important points:

• The number of new infections in Denmark on Thursday, in just 24 hours, reached 4,013.

• Health Minister: The number of coronavirus patients hospitalized is rising, and it is important that people accept the invitation to take the third dose of the vaccine. 
• The Minister of Health stated that the third dose of the vaccine protects against both illness and hospitalization, so accept the invitation when it comes. We have already given the third dose to half a million people in Denmark.

• Children should be tested starting from first grade students.

• Health Minister: Children are currently spreading the infection, so measures must be taken to reduce infection in that group.
• Currently, work is underway to expand the testing program in schools, so that children starting from the first grade can also be tested, and this requires parental consent.
• The Minister of Health stated that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently assessing whether the vaccine can be used for children aged 5-11 years. A decision is expected next week at the earliest, and if approved, we are ready to begin the vaccination program.

• The government is prepared to introduce a Coronapas requirement in government workplaces if the bill is approved in parliament.
• In addition, the government asked the Epidemics Committee to assess whether Coronapas should be introduced as a requirement in more places in society than it is at present.

• Health Minister Magnus Heunicke says that influenza will also be a challenge this winter, so he encourages people to get the flu vaccine and also encourages parents to vaccinate their children. 
• He adds: We hear from many that it is very difficult to allow children to be vaccinated, so now we want to make vaccinations easier by offering them to children in pharmacies, for example. 

• The director of the Danish Medicines Agency, Lars Bo Nielsen, says: "Pills have been purchased to treat the coronavirus. These pills should be used primarily for vulnerable groups. But I emphasize that it is always better to prevent the disease than to treat it once you are infected.". 

• National Health Council Deputy Director Helen Probst: The National Health Council expects that the 90% vaccination will be available in December and encourages everyone who has not booked time for the first dose to do so. 
• In addition, she says that anyone who received the second dose during June will be invited for the third dose during December. 
• According to Helen Probst, hospital system activities have effectively been reduced because increased pressure due to Corona is expected during the winter months. 

• Currently, 46 municipalities have infection rates exceeding the threshold. These municipalities are located primarily in eastern Denmark, according to Annette Lykke Petri, director of the Danish Patient Safety Agency. 
• The disease outbreak is particularly prevalent in public institutions such as schools, care centers, and hospitals. 
• Currently there is a major outbreak in 221 schools.
• If the infection gets out of control or if it involves particularly vulnerable students, then closures will be ordered. But realistically, we will see more schools closed. 

• The director of the Danish Supply Security Agency, Lisbet Zelmer-Jones, says that testing capacity has been significantly increased in recent weeks. 
• There is at least one rapid testing and PCR testing site in each municipality.
• Some people are experiencing long waiting times at certain locations to get a PCR test. These areas are currently working to improve this.

• National Health Council Deputy Director Helen Probst says the most important thing you can do now to create space in hospitals (for coronavirus patients) is to postpone planned (non-urgent) appointments.
• She stressed that the hospital system is currently "tired" and has been under pressure for almost two years from the pandemic and the impact of strikes, so it is not certain that 1,000 inpatients is the number that the hospital system can handle; the number could be smaller than that.

• Christmas dinners are permitted, but infection control measures must be followed: get vaccinated, do not attend if you are sick or showing symptoms, ensure good ventilation, maintain good hygiene, and drink less alcohol.

• The health minister does not deny or rule out that we will have to wear masks again in Denmark.
• Several countries have reinstated restrictions, but in Denmark the strategy is to keep society as open as possible.
•  Henrik Ullum: The strategy now is not the same as last year when we wanted to completely eliminate the infection, but we want to stop the acceleration of the infection. 

The press conference ended at 1:30 PM.