The number of people infected with coronavirus in Denmark remains stable in week 29, according to the latest report from the State Serum Institute (SSI). The level of covid-19, both among the population and in wastewater, continues to be assessed as “medium.” The concentration of coronavirus in wastewater, considered to be one of the most accurate indicators of the infection level in society, has been increasing in recent weeks. In week 28, it reached a “medium level,” which is the highest since January. Previously, the level has been classified as “low” or even “very low.”
Bolette Søborg, chief physician and head of section at SSI, notes that the current level is relatively high. She assesses that the current stagnation in infections could potentially indicate that the number of infected individuals will soon begin to decrease. The coming weeks will therefore be crucial in understanding the further development of the infection. “We expect the infection to decrease at some point, but we have not been able to predict how high the level would need to reach before it starts to decline. The latest figures may suggest that we are approaching the peak,” says Bolette Søborg. She adds that the next few weeks will provide a clear picture of the situation.
The national growth rate is currently categorized as “no growth.” According to SSI, this rate reflects the average weekly amount of covid-19 in wastewater over the past three weeks. Wastewater is analyzed for covid-19 because the virus is excreted in the feces of approximately half of the infected individuals. SSI takes samples from various sewage treatment plants and pumping stations around the country to monitor the level of infection.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, and fatigue. According to SSI, factors such as old age, chronic diseases, severe obesity, and pregnancy increase the risk of a severe course of illness.