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The Danish health care staff receives guidance on the new coronavirus

Since December 2019, several cases of severe pneumonia and death caused by a novel coronavirus have been found in the Chinese metropolitan city of Wuhan. The Danish Health Authority estimates that the risk of the disease coming to Denmark is very low. If a person coming to Denmark is showing signs of the disease, guidelines have been issued on how the Danish health authorities and the health service should handle the situation.

24 JAN 2020

On January 15, the Danish Health Authority sent out information to Danish health professionals about the new coronavirus. That information has now been compiled into a new guideline for healthcare professionals and others who may be involved in situations, where the new coronavirus (nCoV) is suspected in a person who has returned from the affected areas. At the same time, information for the public has been published and they provide answers to questions such as, what to do if you need to travel.

“Our assessment is, that the risk an infected person coming to Denmark is very low. In case it happens, the Danish Preparedness and Response System is in place and everyone knows what to do. The Danish Preparedness and Response System is of very high quality, and these guidelines is bases on this high quality system. At the same time, the new guidelines clarifies what is special about this new coronavirus”, says Ane Just Ohrt, MD.

The new guidelines provide information regarding, when a person may be at risk of being infected with coronavirus and how to treat the patient, whether it in the hospital or at the GP´s office.

The guideline also informs the healthcare professionals, that they are required to report to the health authorities, if they suspect a case of the new coronavirus.

The Danish Health Authority is closely monitoring the situation including the general guidelines that may come from WHO and the EU. The Danish Health Authority is in contact with the other European health authoritues and is monitoring their efforts in this area.

On Monday, January 27, the Danish Health Authority will host an information meeting in the national epidemic group, which gathers in situations where there is an outbreak of major international epidemics. 

Generally, what do the health authorities in Denmark do in situations with possible infectious diseases?

The Danish Health Authority

The Danish Health Authority (SST) handles national coordination in connection with possible and confirmed cases of infectious diseases, including coordination with other national and foreign authorities.

Statens Serum Institut

Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is the national reference laboratory and carries out specialized diagnostics, e.g. in connection with very rare diseases such as 2019-nCoV. SSI also conducts surveillance and risk assessment of infectious diseases in Denmark and internationally, and is the Danish point of contact in the national and international surveillance of infectious diseases.

The Danish Patient Safety Agency

The Danish Patient Safety Agency (STPS) uncovers infection routes and manages healthy close contacts in Denmark to patients with strong suspicion or confirmed cases of special infectious diseases. If there is a low risk of infection, STPS gives advice and guidance.


Denne artikel på dansk: Sundhedspersonale får retningslinje om det nye coronavirus