Europe roundup: Denmark’s mink in the spotlight, Belgium figures improve
Madrid Desk, Nov 6 (efe-epa).- A coronavirus mutation linked to mink farms in Denmark have prompted authorities to draw up plans for a mass cull and saw the United Kingdom remove the country from its safe travel list.
In Italy, anti-lockdown protesters in a coronavirus-weary nation continued to voice their anger as regional restrictions are beefed up while Belgium is cautiously optimistic that the peak of a ferocious second wave of Covid may have arrived.
DENMARK
A mink-related Covid-19 mutation has been detected in 214 fur farm workers in Denmark since June, and a number of the same strain has been detected in the general population, according to Denmark’s State Serum Institute for infectious diseases Friday.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday announced plans to cull 17 million mink as a precaution.
New restrictions on movement in the North Jutland region are set to be enforced for at least a month while restaurants, sporting and cultural events are off the table during that time, although schools shall remain open.
Denmark has fared much better than its European counterparts and has been able to keep the pandemic largely under control without resorting to a national confinement measure.
Sweden’s agriculture minister confirmed Friday that authorities had detected an outbreak of coronavirus at 10 mink farms in the southern region of Blekinge.
UNITED KINGDOM
Responding to the news from the Danish government, the United Kingdom decided to take the Scandinavian country off its travel corridor, which exempts from having to self-quarantine upon returning to the UK.
