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Concerned about the spread of a corona virus mutation in mink, the Danish government is imposing far-reaching restrictions on the North Jutland region. Local public transport will be interrupted in seven municipalities and the nearly 280,000 residents are urged to remain in their own municipality.
Fifth to eighth grade students will be taught remotely starting Monday, the same applies to students from other educational institutions, as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday evening.
The municipalities of Hjørring, Frederikshavn, Brønderslev, Jammerbugt, Thisted, Vesthimmerland and Læsø are affected by the restrictions. Restaurants, pubs, and other venues must close there starting Saturday, but may offer takeout. Sports halls, swimming pools and fitness studios will be closed from Monday.
The mutation could affect the effect of the corona vaccine
One could speak of a real blockade in North Jutland, said Frederiksen. This is necessary because a mutated coronavirus carries the risk of influencing the effects of an upcoming vaccine. All citizens of the affected communities are asked to undergo a corona test.
Frederiksen announced Wednesday that the virus had mutated in Danish minks and had been transmitted to humans. So now every mink in the country is being killed: there are several million animals whose fur is used, among other things, for fur coats. Denmark is the world’s largest producer of mink fur. There are currently 1,139 breeding farms in the country and around 15 to 17 million minks, a particularly large number in North Jutland.
So far, the mutated virus has been found in twelve people in Denmark, including eleven from North Jutland. The technical director of the Danish health institute SSI, Kåre Mølbak, stressed that this virus is no more dangerous than other coronaviruses. However, the risk is that it is more resistant to antibodies. (SDA / szm)
