Denmark Begins Sealing City

The Danish government on Friday began measures to close cities and ordered the culling of millions of mink.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Friday that the city closures are aimed at controlling the spread of the neocrown virus. The measures will affect the lives of some 280,000 people in the area. The government also urged all 280,000 residents to be tested for the new coronavirus.

Two days ago, the Danish government ordered the culling of 15 million mink raised on Denmark’s 1,139 mink farms, where the mutated neo-coronavirus has been found on more than 200 farms. Denmark is the world’s largest producer of mink.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod told reporters that mink were found to be infected with the new coronavirus in June of this year, and as of Thursday 216 mink farms had been infected with the virus. This has happened in other countries as well, he said. He also noted that there are indications that “this unique mutation reduces the response to antibodies, which could ultimately affect the effectiveness of a potential vaccine.”

Experts note that the neo-coronavirus continues to evolve, and so far there is no evidence that any mutation of the virus increases the risk to people. But the Danish government says they’re not taking any chances.

Denmark currently has 53,180 cases of neo-coronavirus infection and 738 deaths.