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Covid-19: Omicron subvariant now dominant in Denmark

Ritzau/The Local
Ritzau/The Local - [email protected]
Covid-19: Omicron subvariant now dominant in Denmark
Covid-19 test in Denmark. Case numbers are currently seeing a summer increase due to the emergence of the BA 5 Omicron variant. File photo: Niels Christian Vilmann/Ritzau Scanpix

The new subvariant of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, BA. 5, is now the dominant form of the virus in Denmark.

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Health Minister Magnus Heunicke confirmed that the new subvariant was now responsible for the majority of new Danish Covid cases in Twitter post on Tuesday afternoon.

The subvariant comprised 32 percent of confirmed cases nationally last week. That share has since increased to 59 percent.

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“(BA. 5) appears to have a transmission advantage compared to other variants but there is still no sign that it causes more serious illness,” the minister wrote.

 

Health authorities earlier stated they expected BA. 5 to become the dominant subvariant in Denmark. It comprised under 1 percent of cases around a month ago.

The reproduction rate or R-number for Covid-19 in Denmark is now 1.1. A value over 1.0 indicates that the virus is spreading. If it is under 1.0, the epidemic is receding.

Last week saw the reproduction rate exceed 1.0 for the first time since February, with that now maintained for a second week.

The prevalence of Covid-19 in the community remains at a low level compared to the early months of 2022.

Heunicke has previously stated that there is “absolutely no question” of Covid-19 restrictions returning in Denmark during the summer.

A plan for managing a potential wave of cases in the autumn and winter is expected to be presented by the government prior to its summer break.

READ ALSO: Danish health minister says further Covid-19 vaccinations could ward off restrictions

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