Covid-19: Denmark halves test capacity due to low infection numbers
Denmark is to cut its Covid-19 testing capacity due to low demand at municipal PCR test centres.
The daily number of PCR tests at local centres will therefore be reduced from 40,000 to 20,000, the Agency for Critical Supplies (Styrelsen for Forsyningssikkerhed) confirmed in a statement on Monday.
Some test centres are expected to close due to the reduced operations.
“The downscaling is expected to result in a further reduction in the number of test locations, while opening times will be adjusted in the country’s test centres,” the agency said in the statement.
“These adjustments will take place on an ongoing basis,” it added.
Recent months have seen Covid-19 infections receding in Denmark after the winter wave, which was driven by the Omicron variant of the virus.
Health authorities have credited a high level of immunity in the community, due to previous infections, and a high vaccination rate including booster vaccinations, in reducing the spread of the coronavirus throughout the spring.
Covid-19 is also known to be transmitted less during warmer seasons.
The lower number of cases is linked to the reduced demand for testing in Denmark. Last week saw an average of around 5,000 tests administered daily.
The government is expected later this year to present a Covid-19 testing strategy for late 2022 and next winter.
Denmark lifted the majority of its Covid-19 restrictions in February, with final travel restrictions ending in March.
Health authorities now only recommend taking a PCR test for Covid-19 if you have symptoms and are at risk of serious illness should you contract the virus.
Testing is no longer recommended for close contacts of people who have the virus or are suspected to have it.
READ ALSO: Denmark says Covid-19 testing now only needed for ‘special medical reasons’
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The daily number of PCR tests at local centres will therefore be reduced from 40,000 to 20,000, the Agency for Critical Supplies (Styrelsen for Forsyningssikkerhed) confirmed in a statement on Monday.
Some test centres are expected to close due to the reduced operations.
“The downscaling is expected to result in a further reduction in the number of test locations, while opening times will be adjusted in the country’s test centres,” the agency said in the statement.
“These adjustments will take place on an ongoing basis,” it added.
Recent months have seen Covid-19 infections receding in Denmark after the winter wave, which was driven by the Omicron variant of the virus.
Health authorities have credited a high level of immunity in the community, due to previous infections, and a high vaccination rate including booster vaccinations, in reducing the spread of the coronavirus throughout the spring.
Covid-19 is also known to be transmitted less during warmer seasons.
The lower number of cases is linked to the reduced demand for testing in Denmark. Last week saw an average of around 5,000 tests administered daily.
The government is expected later this year to present a Covid-19 testing strategy for late 2022 and next winter.
Denmark lifted the majority of its Covid-19 restrictions in February, with final travel restrictions ending in March.
Health authorities now only recommend taking a PCR test for Covid-19 if you have symptoms and are at risk of serious illness should you contract the virus.
Testing is no longer recommended for close contacts of people who have the virus or are suspected to have it.
READ ALSO: Denmark says Covid-19 testing now only needed for ‘special medical reasons’
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