Figure 1. Covid-19: age-specific incidence per 100,000 population
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It makes sense in a highly vaccinated population that the most affected cohort going into our second COVID winter would be children ages 6- 11- who attend school - but are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine (see SSI Chart above).
But it is also true that Denmark is reporting a higher daily rate of infection today, than they were a year ago, before anyone was vaccinated.
And while most of the `breakthrough' cases in vaccinated adults and adolescents are mild or moderate - and infections in unvaccinated children are generally mild - the latest report from the Statens Serum Institut illustrates how even a lightly impacted cohort can drive the spread of the virus.
Infection among school children at the highest level to date during the entire pandemic
The Covid-19 epidemic is still rising across the country. The incidence is highest among school children aged 6-11 years and among unvaccinated 12-15-year-olds. This is shown by the trend report from the Statens Serum Institut.Last edited 19 November 2021
The daily number of new infections with covid-19 is now above the level at the same time last year. The infection has increased significantly since mid-September, and it continues to rise. According to the latest trend report from the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the number of new covid-19 cases increased by 42% from week 43 to week 44.
The report also clearly shows that it is still among the children and young people that the infection is highest right now and at the same time at the highest level during the entire pandemic.
Many children are infected - and then the parents
The infection is highest among school children aged 6-11 years. Here you now see an incidence of 1,328 cases per. 100,000. This is also evident in a high number of covid-19 outbreaks in schools. This is especially true in schooling and at the intermediate level as well as among the staff in primary schools. The second highest infection is now seen among the 40-49 year olds with 466 confirmed cases per. 100,000 and at roughly the same level as the 12-15 year olds with 463 confirmed cases per. 100,000.
"It is clear that it is the children who are carrying the infection right now, and we also see that they are bringing it further into the families and the close contacts. So even though the children may not get so sick from covid-19, people close to them can get infected and get sick ”Rebecca Legarth, Departmental Physician, Infection Epidemiology and Prevention at Statens Serum Institut
Increase in community infection is seen in the hospitals
The high and rising social infection continues to lead to an increase in the number of hospitalized patients, but also among the staff. In the health sector, there were thus over 1200 infected in week 45.
Vaccines protect against infection and hospitalization
The new trend report also clearly shows that you are better off against covid-19 if you have been vaccinated than if you are not.
According to the report, the risk of becoming infected is 3 times higher for anyone over the age of 12 who has not been vaccinated. And the risk of getting so sick from covid-19 that one has to be hospitalized is 3.3 times higher.
"Data is now quite clear about the effect of the vaccines - they work. And even though we can see that the effect against infection diminishes over time, you are well protected against becoming seriously ill and being hospitalized. ”Rebecca Legarth
The increase in numbers
The continued increase in the number of infected means that the total incidence has grown from 273 covid-19 cases per. 100,000 inhabitants in the previous trend report to now 388 cases.
At the same time, the positive percentage has again grown from 2.5% to 2.7%, despite the fact that the number of citizens being tested has grown further.
Especially in Region North Jutland and Central Jutland, the infection has increased, while it is still the Capital Region that the infection is greatest with 571 infected per. 100,000 and a positive percentage of 3.8.
Read more
See the new trend report " Weekly trends: Covid-19 and other respiratory infections "
