Irish family doctors warned of the arrival of the mutated Covid strain from Denmark

The Covid Clinical Leader of the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr Nuala O’Connor, has said that a circular was sent to GPs on Monday advising them to “maintain greater awareness” of the possibility of Covid-19. in patients arriving in Ireland. from Denmark.

Dr. O’Connor told RTÉ radio Tomorrow Ireland that the circular had been distributed to GPs at the request of the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC).

The update was related to people traveling from Denmark and the risk of introducing a new strain of Covid-19 linked to an identified mutation in minks at Danish mink farms.

Scientists have yet to notice changes in the mink-related strain of the # COVID-19 virus identified in #Denmark 🇩🇰 that affect the transmissibility, severity of the disease or reinfection in people. But more evidence is needed.

– World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) November 6, 2020

“The 14 days of restricted circulation are essential to prevent the introduction of this strain into Ireland,” he said.

The circular asks GPs to “maintain a greater awareness of the possibility of Covid-19 in people who have traveled from Denmark in the previous 14 days.”

GPs are also asked to advise the person to isolate themselves and limit their contacts for 14 days and to arrange a Covid test for the patient if they develop any symptoms.

Dr. O’Connor explained that the circular was part of an ongoing service by ICGP to its members during the pandemic, along with public health officials.

We have to prevent this mutation from becoming the dominant strain. It could affect how the vaccine works.

Dr. O’Connor said that while the virus had been mutating since it was first identified, and that was normal, until now it had not gotten more serious.

It was important that a more lethal form did not develop, so it was important to “stop this mutation.”