Round up: Denmark 2nd wave ‘unlikely’ as Putin spokesman struck by Covid-19

Madrid Desk, May 12 (efe-epa).- Authorities in Denmark said Tuesday that the country is “very unlikely” to be struck by a second wave of coronavirus infections, even as contagion rates remained high in Russia, where president Vladimir Putin’s spokesman was hospitalized with Covid-19, and in the United Kingdom, where a furlough scheme was extended to October.

Elsewhere in Europe, former hotspot Spain, which has also been easing lockdown restrictions, announced that new arrivals in the country from abroad would be forced to quarantine for 14 days.

DENMARK

Danish health authorities said the Covid-19 outbreak was under control and that a second wave was very unlikely.

“We have managed to keep the spread of coronavirus under control, thanks to a solid collective effort,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday.

Denmark, with a population of 5.7 million, has registered 10,711 infections and 533 deaths and a current contagion rate of 0.7.

“If the virus had just run free run and we had done nothing, then there would be a likelihood that another wave would come,” head of Denmark’s infectious diseases agency SSI Kåre Mølbak said.

“But now we have learned so much about how to deal with the infection. We have a testing capacity and we have the opportunity to isolate people who have been infected. At the same time, doctors and nurses know how to deal with patients,” the expert told reporters.

Frederiksen announced a “more offensive” testing strategy would be adopted. Around 10,000 tests are carried out daily as well as tracing of people who have come into contact with infected persons.

Denmark began lifting restrictions in mid-April by partially re-opening nurseries and schools and some small businesses.