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This spring, waves of debate soared among the residents of Samsø:
Should they be open to visitors to the island or exclude the rest of the community?
Despite fears of infection, Samsø kept municipal boundaries open. Half a year later, while the rest of Denmark sees an increase in infection pressure, the small community is the only infection-free municipality in Denmark.
– We think it is a good share of luck to play with him, says Mayor Marcel Meijer to Dagbladet.
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That is why Samsø is “white”
It’s an overview of the Statens Serum Institut, Denmark’s answer to the National Institute of Public Health, which distinguishes Samsø as the only white spot on the map.
This means that Samsø has zero recorded cases of infection in the last seven days, according to the Danish BT. The map is updated daily.
According to Mayor Meijer, the situation has been pretty much the same since this spring.
– We have not experienced so many corona infections in Samsø. A month ago we had five. Otherwise, we haven’t had anything all year, says the Social Democratic politician.
He lists several reasons why Samsø has been virtually infection-free:
– We are a bit far from the mainland. We are reasonably isolated. There are not many who live in Samsø and work on the mainland or vice versa. And then probably overall we are reasonably good at adhering to the guidelines that we have followed.
Meijer also points out that Samsø is relatively sparsely populated, with 3,657 inhabitants spread over 112 square kilometers.
Increase in summer visits
There are a total of 1800 holiday homes in Samsø, including 1200 holiday homes.
In addition, many Danes chose to spend this year’s summer holidays in their home country. This led to fifty percent more guests than usual at Samsø, says Meijer.
But the large influx of “leisure gatherings” and tourists this summer did not affect the infection statistics.
That made the locals go soft.
– During the summer, the attitude has changed a bit, so you can come to Samsø. There has not been that moderation in the premises. You don’t see that kind of debate anymore, says the mayor, referring to the heated discussions on social media this spring.
He adds that the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 is less than this spring. Now they have learned to live with the virus, Meijer believes.
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Five were infected
A month ago, Samsø experienced a local infection boom, when five infected and three different infection chains were recorded.
– We got very nervous, Meijer admits.
The infection came to the island when the residents had left, became infected, and brought the virus home again. Those infected were quickly isolated and the outbreak was quelled. But the mayor does not rule out that they will face a similar situation again.
– Right now we are a little more relaxed. But it can appear very quickly, says about the virus.
– In light of the continued increase in infection in Denmark, how long do you think Samsø will be “white”?
– Of course, I hope we can remain infection free. But we must have extraordinary luck.
Mass infection on the Swedish island
– back in full force
On Friday, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced a further tightening of the country’s coronary restrictions.
On the same day, 859 cases of infection were confirmed in Denmark, setting a new record for the number of cases in one day.
– The crown is not over. On the contrary, it has returned in full force. How we react now will determine how it will play out in fall and winter, Frederiksen said.
In Norway we have many “white” municipalities:
The latest weekly FHI report shows that 225 municipalities reported zero cases in week 42.
However, infection rates in Norway are beginning to approach the levels we saw in March, when the pandemic was at its worst in this country. On Friday, the deputy director of health, Espen Nakstad, said that something must be done.
