COVID Activity In Europe - Credit Our World In Data
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Although it likely only represents the tip of the iceberg, the UK and Denmark - both of whom do extensive COVID testing and genomic sequencing - continue to report increasing number of Omicron variant infections.
In both countries, Delta remains the dominant strain, with the UK reporting over 51,000 new cases over the past 24 hours. COVID cases this week have increased more than 12% over the previous 7-day period.
Demark, which is seeing slightly higher (per Capita) COVID numbers than the UK (see chart at top of blog), reports just shy of 400 Omicron detections to date. Two (translated) reports from their SSI.
Status of the omikron variant (B.1.1.529) per 12/07/21
The Statens Serum Institut finds an ever-increasing number of omicron cases in Denmark. A total of 398 cases of infection with the virus variant omicron have now been found.
Last edited December 7, 2021
The snapshot in Denmark is the following:WGS confirmed cases: 83The variant PCR test is now so secure in its detection of the omicron virus variant that a variant PCR detected case is counted as an omicron case. Therefore, the previously "suspected cases" are now listed as proven.
Variant PCR detected cases: 315
Total cases: 398
Denmark's SSI (Statens Serum Institut) also reports finding their first positive sample from wastewater collected in Funen - the third-largest island of Denmark, with a population of roughly 470K - and an additional 14 `suspected' positive cases from around the country (tests pending).The 398 cases were found in the period from November 22 to December 6.
The Statens Serum Institut has demonstrated the new omikron variant in wastewater samples from a treatment plant on Funen. A further 14 samples from treatment plants across the country are currently being investigated for the omicron variant. That is worrying, says SSI's director.
Last edited December 7, 2021
For the first time, the new omikron variant has been detected in wastewater samples in Denmark.
The Statens Serum Institut (SSI) confirms that the omicron variant has so far been found in a sample from Søndersø Wastewater Treatment Plant on Funen. A further 14 samples are currently being tested at SSI, after being initially tested positive for one of the mutations typical of the omicron variant.
All wastewater samples must be screened for omicron
As something new, all wastewater samples will now be screened for the new omikron variant. This must be done no later than the day after they have been taken out.
As part of the setup of this screening, the wastewater samples from week 48 have been examined with the new method. Here, three samples were found that were positive for the mutation being screened for.
The three samples have since been examined at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI). Here, the omicron variant could be detected in samples from the Funen treatment plant.
This agrees well with the fact that the omicron variant has also been found in PCR samples from people living in the catchment area of Søndersø Renseanlæg.
14 more samples with possible omicron in
In addition to the three samples from the weekend, the company Eurofin, which is responsible for the initial screening of the wastewater samples, tested a further 14 samples positive for the omicron-related mutation.
These are samples from treatment plants across the country. These samples have also been forwarded to SSI, where they are currently working on refuting or confirming whether it is the omikron variant.
Wastewater finds are worrying
At SSI, CEO Henrik Ullum believes that the finding of omicron signals in wastewater is worrying.
"I think it is particularly worrying that we now see the omicron variant so widespread, despite the fact that we have detected the spread of infection from the very beginning.
This confirms the increasing number of omicron PCR-positive we have seen in all parts of the country since it was found in Denmark for the first time just over a week ago. We review data together with the Danish Agency for Patient Safety to see if there have been overlooked outbreaks. The overall impression is that omikron is spreading fast right now ”, says Henrik Ullum.
