The UK government is reacting swiftly to a coronavirus threat to England, coming from mutant COVID viruses among Danish mink. Even its own haulage drivers returning from Denmark must self-isolate. Affected non-UK resident drivers traveling from or through Denmark in the last 14 days may no longer enter. But this is not all, as the UK raises barriers against the new Danish mink strain.
Evolving Threat as UK Raises Barriers Against Danish Mink Strain
Our scientists are confident the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 crossed from an animal to a human in 2019. They also suspect the virus could transfer from a human back to an animal. And there is some evidence of this already happening in isolated cases at Denmark’s mink farms.
The Danish Prime Minister has warned of a mutated virus among Danish minks, that weakens the immune system’s ability to form antibodies. This is a potentially critical matter as it could reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines under development. Denmark has therefore decided to euthanize its entire mink population.
How Wide Spread is the Mutated Strain Among Humans?
The short answer is we do not yet know, because of the time delay of symptoms developing. However, available information suggests as many as twelve Danes are already experiencing signs. Denmark fortunately already has advanced COVID countermeasures in place.
But the risk is still there of it spreading among long-haulage drivers at motorway stopovers. And hence the possibility of a further outbreak, even while the UK raises barriers against the new Danish mink strain. United Kingdom countermeasures include a total embargo on passenger airplanes and ships arriving directly from Denmark.
All UK residents arriving from or through Denmark must self-isolate together with their household for 14 days. These restrictions may affect North Americans in transit to or from the UK. We have placed a link to the UK government’s official announcement at the end of this post.
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Denmark Locked Down as Mink Cases Surge
Proof of Spread Between Minks and Humans
Preview Image: Eurotunnel Between UK and France
