The seven-day incidence, ie the number of people infected per 100,000 inhabitants in the week, is 569.1 in Gibraltar, 521.8 in Denmark and 211.6 in Portugal (for comparison, the Czech Republic has 1,068). Although some of the above countries have a higher incidence than, for example, Germany (441.9), there is no panic. Why?
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These countries show that high incidence is not necessarily a problem. With their high vaccination coverage, the number of hospitalizations remains low. But they also show that vaccination alone is not enough to stop the virus from spreading.
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Danish hospitals are quiet, Polish are overwhelmed
In Denmark, with a population of less than six million, the coronavirus situation is relatively relaxed compared to other countries. The Nordic nation has a high vaccination coverage, with almost 80 percent of people receiving two vaccines, according to Danish health authorities. It is the high vaccination coverage that has a positive effect on the situation in the local hospitals. According to the latest information, there are 430 people infected in Danish hospitals, 50 of whom were in intensive care units, of which about half were on fans.
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The effect of vaccination is evident, for example, in comparison with Poland, where out of a total population of 38 million, only 54 percent are fully vaccinated. Currently, the number of occupied beds in connection with the covid is 22,778, according to the Polish Ministry of Health. Occupied fans is 1989. Data on occupancy of ICU Poland does not provide.
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In Polish hospitals, there are currently more than six times the number of patients with covid per capita compared to Danish hospitals. Coronavirus mortality is also relatively low in Denmark. About ten people died in Denmark last week in connection with the covid-19, and over 500 people a day in Poland.
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The favorable epidemic situation promises that the Danes will spend relatively “normal Christmas holidays,” Focus writes. Christmas markets and many cultural events take place. The fact is, however, that measures remain, such as the submission of covid certificates (vaccinations / cures). People have to prove themselves with them, for example, when visiting restaurants, bars or football matches, and the obligation to wear a veil when shopping or on public transport still applies.
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Portugal: Infection is increasing, the country is not panicking
A similar situation prevails in Portugal, where the vaccination rate is 88%. There is also an increasing number of infected people in this country. The seven-day incidence was on Friday at 211.6 infected per 100,000 inhabitants. There is no panic.
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“Our vaccination campaign was a complete success. This is evidenced by the current situation where, with the growing number of people infected, there are significantly fewer people in hospitals than a year ago and the health system is far from overloaded, “said Francisco George, former director of national health.
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Fearing a hitherto thoroughly unexplored new omicron variant, the Portuguese government has tightened the rules. Everyone who arrives in the country must prove a negative test, even if they are fully vaccinated. Upon entering restaurants, bars, hotels or gyms, everyone will be required to provide proof of vaccination or covid-19. Veils must be worn indoors.
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Gibraltar reports a vaccination coverage of 120 percent
Gibraltar currently has 540 infected, and since the beginning of the pandemic, 7371 people have been infected. With a population of just 34,000, it was named the “most vaccinated country in the world”. According to current data, a total of 98,421 doses were administered there, which corresponds to an immunization rate of about 120 percent.
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“The fact that the numbers are so high is due to the inoculation of many people in Gibraltar who only work here but are not registered here,” explained Helen Carter, head of the Gibraltar Medical Office, more than 100 percent. According to her, the real immunization rate of people with permanent residence is “somewhere around 90 percent”.
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According to her, the high incidence is that not only people who come to work, but also passengers on cruise ships or foreign soldiers are tested a lot here.
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Although the incidence is high, “what is the situation in the hospitals” is more important to Carter. And, as current figures show, it is at a surprisingly low level. Only two infected people are hospitalized with coronavirus infection in Gibraltar. This is a significant change, for example, compared to January, when 70 dozen infected died in connection with the covid. “Vaccination protects,” Carter said.
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However, the government in Gibraltar preferred to cancel several Christmas events or reduce their scope due to fears of a new exploration of the omikron variant that had not yet been explored. “We want to prevent the lockdown from having to be dealt with in the coming weeks,” said Prime Minister Fabian Picardo.
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