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Nice to see Danish strategy to put #kidsfirst getting attention. 
Detail level is great.
However, there are corrections needed that shed a different light onto the topic.
Most importantly:
Several of the described measures were reduced & K-12 back since end May, no masks https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707856462295041
Detail level is great.
However, there are corrections needed that shed a different light onto the topic.
Most importantly:
Several of the described measures were reduced & K-12 back since end May, no masks https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707856462295041
Let’s go step by step.
15/04 when schools reopened there were 185 daily cases (Beware: only people with medium to severe symptoms who needed medical attention where tested)
When decision was made 06/04, we had 278 daily cases.
https://files.ssi.dk/COVID19-overvaagningsrapport-15042020-ht7b
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707857443692555?s=20 https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707857443692555
15/04 when schools reopened there were 185 daily cases (Beware: only people with medium to severe symptoms who needed medical attention where tested)
When decision was made 06/04, we had 278 daily cases.
https://files.ssi.dk/COVID19-overvaagningsrapport-15042020-ht7b
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707857443692555?s=20 https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707857443692555
K-5 AND graduation classes went back to school 15/04.
https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/kontrolleret-genaabning-af-danmark
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707858437746688?s=20 https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707858437746688
https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/kontrolleret-genaabning-af-danmark
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707858437746688?s=20 https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707858437746688
Government asked to keep kids at home if parents could manage the next 2 days, when they announced school closures at 11/03, schools closed only at the end of 13/03.
No such announcement was made (to my knowledge) when schools reopened.
(Is there a source for the contrary?) https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707858437746688
No such announcement was made (to my knowledge) when schools reopened.
(Is there a source for the contrary?) https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294707858437746688
Increased hand washing was the first measure to be withdrawn, as some children developed severe eczema after few days, some even ending up with bloody hands.
Before, regulation was changed to apply lotion after each washing, which didn’t really help (at least not my kids). https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707861713453057
Before, regulation was changed to apply lotion after each washing, which didn’t really help (at least not my kids). https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707861713453057
There was NEVER a mask mandate in danish schools.
Limited recommendation for masks (if e.g. sick on way to isolation) was introduced 04/07.
Recommendation for masks in public transport during rush hours 31/07.
Children below 12y excluded.
https://www.sst.dk/da/Nyheder/2020/Et-mundbind-i-tasken-er-en-god-ide_-naar-der-er-traengsel-i-den-kollektive-trafik https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707860425846790
Limited recommendation for masks (if e.g. sick on way to isolation) was introduced 04/07.
Recommendation for masks in public transport during rush hours 31/07.
Children below 12y excluded.
https://www.sst.dk/da/Nyheder/2020/Et-mundbind-i-tasken-er-en-god-ide_-naar-der-er-traengsel-i-den-kollektive-trafik https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707860425846790
10/05 Distancing was reduced to 1m all over Denmark, allowing class mates to move closer and join rooms.
https://www.sst.dk/da/Nyheder/2020/Vi-skal-alle-fortsat-holde-afstand-og-vise-hensyn-saa-kan-vi-rykke-en-smule-taettere-sammen
18/05 K-10 returned to school.
https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/kontrolleret-genaabning-af-danmark
27/05 remaining classes returned to school
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/ny-aftale-fremrykker-genaabning-gymnasieelever-museer-og-forlystelsesparker https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707860425846790
https://www.sst.dk/da/Nyheder/2020/Vi-skal-alle-fortsat-holde-afstand-og-vise-hensyn-saa-kan-vi-rykke-en-smule-taettere-sammen
18/05 K-10 returned to school.
https://politi.dk/coronavirus-i-danmark/kontrolleret-genaabning-af-danmark
27/05 remaining classes returned to school
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/ny-aftale-fremrykker-genaabning-gymnasieelever-museer-og-forlystelsesparker https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707860425846790
Increase of Rt most likely due to signal effect of reopening schools.
Biggest increase of infections was observed in age group 13-19y who were NOT back at school. Which caused political discussion, resulting in prioritization of getting them back as well in May. https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707864444047360
Biggest increase of infections was observed in age group 13-19y who were NOT back at school. Which caused political discussion, resulting in prioritization of getting them back as well in May. https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707864444047360
Before 15/04 only medium to severe cases who needed medical attention in hospitals were tested.
At 15/04 test strategy was changed to test people w/ mild & w/o symptoms and test capacity was increased significantly. https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707864444047360
At 15/04 test strategy was changed to test people w/ mild & w/o symptoms and test capacity was increased significantly. https://twitter.com/dgbassani/status/1294707864444047360
@SSI_dk pointed out it’s most likely due to increased testing & capturing of infections w/ mild or w/o symptoms, that infection rates in younger age groups SEEM to increase after school reopening.
Left: # of tests
Right: # of positive results
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294735234840367108?s=20
Left: # of tests
Right: # of positive results
https://twitter.com/DGBassani/status/1294735234840367108?s=20
01/08 distancing rules within classes / cohorts were omitted to enable group work and more normal school routines for pupils.
Strict cohorting and distancing in between adults are kept, allowing parents to enter facilities only under certain circumstances. https://www.uvm.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/uvm/2020/jun/200619-nye-retningslinjer-for-dagtilbud-skoler-og-institutioner-er-paa-plads
Strict cohorting and distancing in between adults are kept, allowing parents to enter facilities only under certain circumstances. https://www.uvm.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/uvm/2020/jun/200619-nye-retningslinjer-for-dagtilbud-skoler-og-institutioner-er-paa-plads
Since end July / start August significant increase in community transmission, mainly Aarhus area (2nd biggest city, 380k) w/ 100 cumulated cases in 7 days / 100k inhabitants.
Strict measures on local community level enforced, while K-10 faced no further restrictions.
Strict measures on local community level enforced, while K-10 faced no further restrictions.
Measures enforced locally:
- information campaign
- working from home
- oldest pupils back to remote (above K-10)
- masks in public transport
- increased testing (incl. moving test capacity from other areas)
- visiting restrictions in hospitals/nursing homes
- information campaign
- working from home
- oldest pupils back to remote (above K-10)
- masks in public transport
- increased testing (incl. moving test capacity from other areas)
- visiting restrictions in hospitals/nursing homes
- Aarhus festival week (end of August) cancelled
- reopening phase 4 for whole Denmark cancelled -> max 100 people gatherings allowed; restaurants, bars close midnight
Other measures:
- 24h response time for test results
- masks distributed to pharmacies from central stock
- reopening phase 4 for whole Denmark cancelled -> max 100 people gatherings allowed; restaurants, bars close midnight
Other measures:
- 24h response time for test results
- masks distributed to pharmacies from central stock
While schools all over Denmark returned to normal class sizes and hours after summer break, allowing kids to work & play w/o masks or distancing within(!) their cohort/class, mask mandate for public transport (excluding <12y) was introduced 15/08. https://www.trm.dk/nyheder/2020/krav-om-mundbind-eller-visir-i-al-kollektiv-transport/
School children in Aarhus area w/ increased community transmission face some additional restrictions:
- as many activities as feasible outdoors
- masks required in public transport (excl. pre-schoolers)
Remark: general advice in Aarhus is to avoid public transport
- as many activities as feasible outdoors
- masks required in public transport (excl. pre-schoolers)
Remark: general advice in Aarhus is to avoid public transport
Intermediate update on infection rates in Aarhus 18/08
Slowly dropping
Cumulated numbers of last 7 days:
Incidence per 100k
cases 75.4
tests 8,532
# of cases 263
# of tests 29,771
positivity rate ~0.9%
tests per confirmed case: 113
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/aa41b29149f24e20a4007a0c4e13db1d
Slowly dropping
Cumulated numbers of last 7 days:
Incidence per 100k
cases 75.4
tests 8,532
# of cases 263
# of tests 29,771
positivity rate ~0.9%
tests per confirmed case: 113
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/aa41b29149f24e20a4007a0c4e13db1d
Schools / Daycare status 13/08
• 25 pupils (of 29,000)
• 5 daycare children (of 15,000)
tested positive
• 11 schools (of 48)
• 4 daycares (of 90)
effected
200 employees & 300 children in isolation
No transmission within school reported so far. https://jyllands-posten.dk/aarhus/ECE12340318/30-smittede-og-300-boern-sendt-hjem-fra-aarhusianske-skoler-og-dagtilbud/
• 25 pupils (of 29,000)
• 5 daycare children (of 15,000)
tested positive
• 11 schools (of 48)
• 4 daycares (of 90)
effected
200 employees & 300 children in isolation
No transmission within school reported so far. https://jyllands-posten.dk/aarhus/ECE12340318/30-smittede-og-300-boern-sendt-hjem-fra-aarhusianske-skoler-og-dagtilbud/
How are symptoms handled in schools?
If child or teacher has any COVID19 symptoms:
• not allowed to go to school / daycare
• advised to get tested
• isolation until 48 hrs symptom free (w/ negative test pbly earlier)
Remark: runny / stuffy nose as sole(!) symptom is excluded
If child or teacher has any COVID19 symptoms:
• not allowed to go to school / daycare
• advised to get tested
• isolation until 48 hrs symptom free (w/ negative test pbly earlier)
Remark: runny / stuffy nose as sole(!) symptom is excluded
How are cases in schools handled?
If child or teacher is:
• identified as close contact to a confirmed case, whole cohort goes into isolation & waits for test result of contact.
• tested positive, whole cohort goes in isolation & gets tested twice w/ some days in between
If child or teacher is:
• identified as close contact to a confirmed case, whole cohort goes into isolation & waits for test result of contact.
• tested positive, whole cohort goes in isolation & gets tested twice w/ some days in between
If tested positive
• w/o symptoms: isolate 7 days
• w/ symptoms: isolate until 48 hrs symptom free
• w/o symptoms: isolate 7 days
• w/ symptoms: isolate until 48 hrs symptom free
I‘d say it works smoothly due to combination of
- social security system: parents stay home /w full salary if child sick (compliance!)
- turnaround time of free(!) tests within 24 hrs (compliance!)
- strict cohorting
- agile & efficient local community level measures
#kidsfirst
- social security system: parents stay home /w full salary if child sick (compliance!)
- turnaround time of free(!) tests within 24 hrs (compliance!)
- strict cohorting
- agile & efficient local community level measures
#kidsfirst
