---
# System prepended metadata

title: COVID-19 Timeline (2020-2022)

---


* *[Guidelines for handling covid-19 in the danish healthcare system](https://www.sst.dk/da/udgivelser/2023/Retningslinjer-for-haandtering-af-covid-19)* 
 * *[News from Norwegian Ministries about the Coronavirus disease Covid-19](https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/health-and-care/public-health/timeline-for-news-from-norwegian-ministries-about-the-coronavirus-disease-covid-19/id2692402/)*
 
 
# Timeline of COVID-19 in Denmark and Globally
* *[Original Danish Version](https://www.ssi.dk/-/media/arkiv/subsites/covid19/presse/tidslinje-over-covid-19/covid-19-tidslinje-lang-for-2020-2022-version-2---december-2022.pdf)*

This timeline is based on data from the Statens Serum Institut's dashboards, datasets, and articles, as well as data from TestCenter Denmark. Information has also been included from various Danish media, the Danish Health Authority, the Think Tank Europa's COVID-19 timeline, the EU, WHO, and Johns Hopkins University, which monitors COVID-19 worldwide.



## 2020
- **February 26**: The first Dane tests positive for COVID-19.
- **March 11**: Denmark is locked down for an initial two weeks; first Dane dies after infection. Schools, institutions, and daycare centers are closed.
- **March 14**: Denmark temporarily closes its borders.
- **March 15**: The containment strategy is replaced by the mitigation strategy. This means, among other things, that people who have been in contact with the infected are no longer traced and quarantined, including in schools.
- **March 17**: Queen Margrethe II addresses the population; EU external borders close.
- **March 18**: Ban on gatherings over 10 people; closures of businesses and places of worship.
- **March 20**: 19 COVID-19 deaths in Denmark.
- **March 29**: 1,074 hospitalized in Denmark.
- **March 31**: 110 COVID-19 deaths in Denmark.
- **April 9**: 5,995 infections in Denmark.
- **April 15**: Phased reopening begins, with younger children returning to school first.
- **April 21**: New testing strategy; gatherings of over 500 banned.
- **April 30**: 463 COVID-19 deaths.
- **May 12**: Contact tracing and testing strategy initiated.
- **May 18**: Churches, religious communities, restaurants, cafes, and library lending services reopen. Students in grades 6-10 and boarding school students can return to physical education. Club offers, vocational education (EUD), preparatory basic education (FGU), and special education for youth (STU) also reopen. Everyone over 18 can now book a time to be tested for COVID-19.
- **June 27**: Travel allowed within Schengen with low infection rates.
- **July 31**: Face mask recommendation in public transport.
- **August 10**: 15,159 infections in Denmark.
- **August 22**: Face masks required on public transportation.
- **October 31**: New corona warning system introduced.
- **November 24**: 797 COVID-19 deaths.
- **December 21**: EU authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
- **December 21**: All school students not already sent home must switch to digital instruction. Leisure activities and liberal professions close.
- **December 27**: First vaccinations in Denmark.

## 2021
- **January 5**: Ban on gatherings lowered to five; highest warning level enacted.
- **January 16**: Beta variant detected in Denmark.
- **February 8**: Students in grades 0-4 can return to in-person instruction.
- **March 1**: Denmark partially reopens, with some schools resuming outdoor instruction.
- **March 3**: Gamma variant detected in Denmark.
- **March 19**: Over 5% of the population vaccinated.
- **March 26**: 10% of the population vaccinated.
- **April 6**: Liberal professions, education, etc., open as part of the reopening plan.
- **April 19**: Delta variant begins spreading in Denmark.
- **April 27**: 10% fully vaccinated.
- **May 23**: 20% fully vaccinated.
- **June 4**: Vaccination begins for ages 16-19.
- **June 24**: 30% fully vaccinated.
- **July 5**: Delta variant becomes dominant.
- **July 24**: 50% fully vaccinated.
- **August 25**: 70% fully vaccinated.
- **September 10**: COVID-19 reclassified; restrictions lifted.
- **October 1**: Influenza vaccination begins.
- **October 30**: Rapid test sites reopen; 75.2% fully vaccinated.
- **November 28**: Omicron variant detected in Denmark.

## 2022
- **January 7**: Omicron accounts for over 90% of cases.
- **January 19**: Omicron subvariant BA.2 at 45% of cases.
- **February 1**: COVID-19 no longer a critical threat; restrictions lifted.
- **April 1**: Estimated 70% of adult population infected since November.
- **May 5**: New Omicron subvariants detected.
- **May 15**: Self-requested vaccination program begins.
- **May 30**: Over 4.92 million vaccinated doses administered.
- **June 21**: Omicron subvariant BA.5 becomes dominant. 


# More Detailed:
## 2020

### January

- **January 5**: WHO reports an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in China.
- **January 11**: China records the first death due to coronavirus in Wuhan.
- **January 15**: The Danish Health Authority issues information about the new coronavirus to healthcare personnel.
- **January 23**: Wuhan, China, goes into lockdown.
- **January 24**: France registers the first case of COVID-19 in Europe.
- **January 27**: Germany records its first case of COVID-19.
- **January 30**: WHO declares the virus outbreak a global health emergency.
- **January 31**: Italy registers its first case of COVID-19.

### February

- **February 2**: The first COVID-19-related death outside China is confirmed in the Philippines.
- **February 4**: Statens Serum Institut (SSI) and the Danish Health Authority heighten preparedness to prevent coronavirus spread in Denmark.
- **February 5**: 14 Danes are evacuated from Hubei province in China; all test negative.
- **February 21**: Italy records its first COVID-19-related death.
- **February 22**: Denmark supports WHO's crisis fund for global preparedness with 8 million DKK.
- **February 25**: The Danish Health Authority changes its risk assessment from "there is a low probability that the disease will come to Denmark" to "moderate risk that we will see COVID-19 cases in Denmark."
- **February 26**: The first Dane tests positive for COVID-19. ❗
- **February 28**: The Danish Health Authority holds its first press briefing about COVID-19 in Denmark.

### March

- **March 3**: The Danish Health Authority recommends that all Danes who have been in high-risk areas (e.g., China, Iran, and Northern Italy) should quarantine for two weeks.
- **March 5**: The UK records its first death due to COVID-19.
- **March 6**: The Prime Minister holds the first press conference, urging the cancellation or postponement of events with more than 1,000 participants. Handshakes and hugs are also discouraged. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs changes travel guidelines, turning all green areas to yellow.
- **March 7**: Venice, Milan, and a large part of Northern Italy are quarantined.
- **March 10**: Compensation can now be sought for canceled events with more than 1,000 participants. Companies are allowed to postpone payment of income taxes, VAT, and labor market contributions.
- **March 11**: Second press conference with the Prime Minister; Denmark is locked down for an initial two weeks. Schools, institutions, and daycare centers are closed. Ban on gatherings of more than 100 people. Public employees without critical functions are sent home. The first Dane dies after being infected with COVID-19. ❗
- **March 12**: The Danish Health Authority changes the testing strategy: only the most ill are tested for COVID-19.
- **March 14**: Denmark temporarily closes its borders, becoming one of the first countries to do so. ❗
- **March 15**: The containment strategy is replaced by the mitigation strategy. This means, among other things, that people who have been in contact with the infected are no longer traced and quarantined.
- **March 17**: Queen Margrethe II addresses the Danish population about the COVID-19 crisis. EU leaders decide to close the EU's external borders for 30 days for non-essential travel by non-EU citizens. 1,067 Danes have now contracted COVID-19. ❗
- **March 18**: Ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. Additionally, hairdressers, restaurants, shopping centers, etc., close. All confirmations (religious ceremonies) are postponed until after June 1.❗
- **March 19**: The EU Commission establishes the first rescEU stockpile of medical equipment.
- **March 20**: In Denmark, 19 people have died after being infected with COVID-19. ❗
- **March 23**: All previously introduced measures in Denmark are extended until April 13.
- **March 29**: 1,074 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals. ❗
- **March 30**: At the eighth press conference with the Prime Minister, it is announced that Denmark will reopen after Easter—if the positive development continues.
- **March 31**: 110 Danes have died after being infected with COVID-19. ❗

### April

- **April 1**: The Danish Health Authority changes guidelines so that people with mild symptoms can also be tested upon referral from their own doctor.
- **April 2**: Emergency law on corona-related crime is passed; in Denmark, one can now be imprisoned for stealing hand sanitizer, for example.
- **April 6**: The ban on large gatherings is extended, and all festivals and similar events are canceled.
- **April 8**: The EU extends its entry ban on all non-essential travel until May 15, 2020.
- **April 9**: 5,995 Danes have now contracted COVID-19. ❗
- **April 18**: Tents are set up across the country to be used for PCR tests.
- **April 20**: Driving schools, hairdressers, research laboratories, and certain other liberal professions, as well as the youngest school grades and outdoor sports without physical contact, are allowed to reopen. 
- **April 21**: A new testing strategy ensures that everyone with symptoms of coronavirus should be tested. Gatherings of more than 500 people are banned until September 1, 2020. PCR testing capacity is 2,000 tests per day. ❗
- **April 27**: Danish courts reopen.
- **April 30**: 463 people have died in Denmark after being infected with COVID-19. ❗

### May

- **May 7**: Phase two of reopening: Outdoor sports and club activities, professional sports without spectators, and zoos where guests transport themselves around in cars reopen.
- **May 9**: Non-essential travel to the entire world is discouraged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until May 31.
- **May 11**: Shopping centers, arcades, department stores, and similar establishments are allowed to reopen. PCR testing capacity: 10,000 tests per day.
- **May 12**: The government launches a new testing strategy where authorities trace everyone who has been in contact with someone infected with corona. Those traced should be tested and isolated. ❗
- **May 18**: Churches, religious communities, restaurants, cafes, and library lending services reopen. Students in grades 6-10 and boarding school students can return to physical education. Club offers, vocational education (EUD), preparatory basic education (FGU), and special education for youth (STU) also reopen. Everyone over 18 can now book a time to be tested for COVID-19. ❗
- **May 20**: Museums, cinemas, zoos, and theaters can open from today.
- **May 27**: Folk high schools, high schools, club activities, and physical presence in the public sector (except in Region Zealand and the Capital Region) reopen.
- **May 29**: Tourists from Norway, Germany, and Iceland can travel to Denmark if they have booked a minimum of six overnight stays outside Copenhagen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel to the rest of the world until August 31.
- **May 30**: 2,523 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals.

### June

- **June 1**: PCR testing capacity: 20,000 tests per day.
- **June 8**: The ban on gatherings is raised from 10 to 50 people. Fitness centers, swimming pools, and amusement parks reopen.
- **June 17**: Coronavirus is detected in a mink herd in North Jutland. 600 people in Denmark have died after being infected with COVID-19.
- **June 27**: For Danes, travel is now open to all Schengen countries and the UK, as long as the infection rate is below 20 per 100,000 inhabitants. ❗
- **June 29**: Over 500,000 people have lost their lives worldwide due to COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

### July

- **July 1**: Three mink farms have tested positive for COVID-19.
- **July 8**: The ban on gatherings is raised from 50 to 100 people.
- **July 29**: The EU Commission secures access to remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19.
- **July 31**: The Danish Health Authority recommends wearing face masks in public transport if crowded. ❗

### August

- **August 10**: 15,159 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19. ❗
- **August 22**: Passengers over 12 years old and staff are now required to wear face masks or visors on all public transportation in Denmark. ❗

### September

- **September 17**: New rules are introduced for nightlife and the restaurant industry in the Copenhagen area.
- **September 18**: The ban on gatherings is lowered from 100 to 50 people. Cafes, restaurants, and bars must close to guests at 10 pm, and face masks must be worn unless staff and guests are seated. There are now 30 million infections worldwide, and more than 940,000 people have died due to COVID-19 globally, according to Johns Hopkins University.

### October

- **October 4**: 30,383 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19.
- **October 7**: The government announces that the national testing capacity will be expanded during the fall so that 70,000-80,000 people can be tested per day.
- **October 12**: PCR testing capacity: 50,000 tests per day.
- **October 14**: COVID-19 cases have been registered on 89 mink farms in North and West Jutland.
- **October 23**: The ban on gatherings is lowered from 50 to 10 people. 711 people in Denmark have died after having COVID-19.
- **October 24**: The government extends the face mask requirement until January 2, 2021.
- **October 29**: A requirement to wear face masks is introduced in places such as cinemas, shops, and secondary education institutions.
- **October 31**: The healthcare system introduces a new corona warning system with risk levels from 1 to 5. Level 1 is "Low local transmission with the possibility of flare-ups." Level 5 is "Widespread community transmission and risk that hospital treatment capacity is exceeded." ❗

### November

- **November 2**: 4,216 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals.
- **November 4**: The government decides to cull all Danish mink populations due to a mutation of COVID-19.
- **November 6**: Seven municipalities in North Jutland are isolated for four weeks. Unless one has an urgent purpose, one must not cross the municipal borders of these seven municipalities.
- **November 9**: A COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech shows to be 90% effective in a phase three study.
- **November 11**: SSI announces that the vaccine developed by the institute is now ready to be tested on humans.
- **Mid-November**: The Alpha variant is registered in Denmark. ❗
- **November 24**: 797 people in Denmark have died after having COVID-19.

### December

- **December 6**: 885 people in Denmark have died after having COVID-19.
- **December 7**: The test center in Aarhus opens, and PCR testing capacity is now 70,000 tests per day.
- **December 8**: 100,725 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19.
- **December 16**: The Danish Health Authority recommends not celebrating Christmas and New Year with more than 10 people.
- **December 17**: All Danish shopping centers must close; restaurants close for dining in.
- **December 19**: 7,573 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals.
- **December 21**: All school students not already sent home must switch to digital instruction. Leisure activities and liberal professions close. The EU Commission authorizes the EU's first vaccine against COVID-19, developed by Pfizer/BioNTech. ❗
- **December 25**: All stores—with the exception of supermarkets and pharmacies—must close.
- **December 27**: The first Danes are vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. ❗
- **December 28**: PCR testing capacity: 90,000 tests per day.
- **December 29**: At a press conference, the Prime Minister extends restrictions until January 17, 2021. It is also recommended to cancel New Year's Eve celebrations.

---

## 2021

### January

- **January 5**: The ban on gatherings is lowered to five people, and the risk level is raised to the highest level in the warning system. The distance requirement changes from 1 to 2 meters. ❗
- **January 6**: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Commission approve the Moderna vaccine. 1,450 people in Denmark have died after having COVID-19.
- **January 8**: All travel abroad to the entire world is now discouraged.
- **January 9**: Incoming travelers to Denmark must now present a negative COVID-19 test.
- **January 12**: Denmark receives the first vaccine doses from Moderna.
- **January 14**: The first variant PCR test is introduced, called Delta PCR version 1.0.
- **January 16**: The Beta variant—originally discovered in South Africa—is detected for the first time in Denmark. ❗
- **January 28**: The lockdown of Denmark, which came into effect in December, is extended until February 28.
- **January 31**: 200,759 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19.

### February

- **February 6**: The AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Denmark.
- **February 8**: Students in grades 0-4 can return to instruction.
- **February 17**: The government presents a plan for more rapid test sites and increased use of testing (preferably twice a week).
- **February 23**: The second variant PCR test is introduced, called Delta PCR version 2.0.

### March

- **March 1**: Denmark partially reopens with, for example, large parts of retail trade, outdoor cultural institutions, and parts of outdoor sports nationally.
- **March 2**: PCR testing capacity: 170,000 tests per day.
- **March 3**: The Gamma variant—first discovered in Brazil—has been found in Denmark. ❗
- **March 4**: Denmark enters into cooperation with Israel and Austria to establish factories that will produce, among other things, COVID-19 vaccines.
- **March 11**: Several EU countries temporarily stop using the AstraZeneca vaccine.
- **March 15**: Denmark opens further, including boarding schools and permission for more customers in stores.
- **March 18**: The ban on gatherings is raised from 5 to 10 people.
- **March 19**: 11,608 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals. Over 5% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
- **March 25**: Denmark extends the pause of AstraZeneca for three weeks.
- **March 26**: Every 10th Dane has now started the vaccination. ❗

### April

- **April 6**: Liberal professions, education, etc., open as part of the reopening plan.
- **April 14**: Denmark completely abandons the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to rare cases of blood clots.
- **April 19**: The Delta variant begins to spread in Denmark. ❗
- **April 20**: TestCenter Denmark has existed for a year and has conducted more than 19 million PCR tests.
- **April 21**: Danes are now allowed to gather up to 25 people outdoors. Pubs, restaurants, and libraries reopen.
- **April 26**: The third variant PCR test is introduced, called Delta PCR version 3.0.
- **April 27**: 251,696 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19. Over 10% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
 
### May

- **May 3**: The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is removed from the Danish vaccination program.
- **May 4**: The ban on gatherings is raised to 25 people indoors; the 30-minute rule for table reservations at restaurants, etc., is abolished, and venues can now have up to 2,000 seated guests.
- **May 10**: Those aged 55-59 are invited for vaccination.
- **May 14**: 2,499 people in Denmark have died after being infected with COVID-19.
- **May 19**: The Danish Health Authority announces that it is now possible to opt-in for COVID-19 vaccines outside the vaccination program (AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson).
- **May 21**: Everything in Denmark is now open to some extent—except for discos and nightclubs. 15,443 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals.
- **May 23**: 20% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
- **May 28**: The Danish corona passport app can now be downloaded from the App Store.

### June

- **June 4**: Vaccination of 16-19-year-olds has now begun. ❗
- **June 7**: The fourth variant PCR test is introduced. Due to WHO's decision to name COVID-19 variants after Greek letters, the test is now called Variant PCR Test 4.
- **June 8**: Over half of the Danish population over 16 years old has received the first dose (approx. 2.5 million Danes).
- **June 9**: The EU Parliament approves the EU's digital COVID-19 certificate.
- **June 10**: A new political agreement means that face masks are no longer required in many places. However, they are still mandatory on public transport.
- **June 11**: 291,059 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19.
- **June 24**: Over 30% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
- **June 29**: Denmark purchases 1.17 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines from Romania.

### July

- **July 1**: The digital EU corona passport comes into use.
- **July 5**: The Delta variant now dominates in Denmark. Before this, the Alpha variant dominated. ❗
- **July 12**: Over 40% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated.
- **July 21**: All pregnant and breastfeeding women can now also be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- **July 22**: Over 200 million adult Europeans are now vaccinated with two doses.
- **July 24**: Over 50% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
- **July 28**: Vaccination of 12-15-year-olds begins in Denmark.

### August

- **August 9**: Over 60% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated.
- **August 14**: Distance requirements at events with seated audiences are no longer in place.
- **August 25**: Over 70% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated. ❗
- **August 31**: In the EU, 70% of the adult European population is now fully vaccinated.

### September

- **September 1**: The capacity for PCR tests is scaled down from 170,000 to 100,000 daily tests.
- **September 6**: 298,420 people in Denmark have now contracted COVID-19.
- **September 9**: Revaccination begins with the vaccination of nursing home residents.
- **September 10**: COVID-19 is no longer classified as a critical threat to society in Denmark. ❗
- **September 13**: The rapid test capacity is scaled down from 200,000 to 100,000 daily tests.
- **September 16**: Danish citizens can now choose which COVID-19 vaccine they want.

### October

- **October 1**: Vaccination against influenza begins today. ❗
- **October 5**: Cross-vaccinated people are now offered a third vaccine dose. 14,973 people have now been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Danish hospitals.
- **October 6**: All elderly over 85 have now been invited for revaccination.
- **October 9**: Rapid test centers close.
- **October 14**: Over 75% of the Danish population is now fully vaccinated.
- **October 15**: Initiation of revaccination where the primary vaccination was six months ago.
- **October 21**: 2,696 people in Denmark have died after having COVID-19.
- **October 30**: The first rapid test sites reopen. The capacity for PCR tests increases from 100,000 to 150,000 tests per day. 75.2% of the population has completed the primary vaccination course. ❗

### November

- **November 5**: The capacity for PCR tests is scaled up from 100,000 to 150,000 daily tests.
- **November 6**: Invitations for the third dose are sent to the elderly and vulnerable. Later, all vaccinated over 18 are invited.
- **November 11**: COVID-19 is again classified as a critical threat to society in Denmark.
- **November 16**: Municipal and regional elections are held.
- **November 25**: The Danish Health Authority recommends revaccination of everyone over 18. 735,438 people have received the third vaccine dose.
- **November 26**: The EU Commission approves the use of Comirnaty® for 5-11-year-olds. A new law comes into effect, allowing employers to require employees to show a corona passport.
- **November 28**: The first children aged 5-11 are vaccinated today. Omicron has arrived in Denmark via travel activity from South Africa. ❗
- **November 29**: The fifth variant PCR test is introduced, called Variant PCR Test 5.

### December

- **December 7**: 7.4% of all 5-11-year-olds have received the first vaccine dose.
- **December 8**: The validity of the corona passport changes from 12 to 7 months for vaccinated individuals.
- **December 10**: Over 12% of 5-11-year-olds have received the first vaccine dose. In total, 78.6% of the Danish population has received two vaccine doses. 1,280 people have now been infected with Omicron in Denmark.
- **December 12**: 32,856 have received the third vaccine dose. 2,471 have now been infected with Omicron.
- **December 13**: In the last 24 hours, 10,625 COVID-19 cases have been registered.
- **December 16**: In the last 24 hours, 10,604 COVID-19 cases have been registered. There are 9,009 Omicron cases registered in Denmark. 77% of children aged 12-15 have now received the first vaccine dose or have booked a vaccination appointment.
- **December 17**: 11,559 Omicron cases have been registered. ❗
- **December 19**: A requirement for a corona passport is introduced on intercity buses and trains. Theaters, museums, folk high schools, etc., are closed. Space requirements in stores are implemented.
- **December 20**: Only a representative sample of tests is now screened for Omicron. Over two million Danes have received the third vaccine dose. 23,038 Omicron cases have now been found.
- **December 22**: The capacity for PCR tests is increased from 170,000 to 190,000 daily tests.
- **December 23**: Infected individuals can now provide information online and avoid phone queues at contact tracing. In the last 24 hours, 13,229 COVID-19 cases have been registered.

---

## 2022

### January

- **January**: The capacity for PCR tests is increased from 190,000 to 200,000 daily tests.
- **January 1**: Approximately 2.8 million Danes have received the third vaccine dose, corresponding to 48.4% of the Danish population.
- **January 2**: 77.9% of the population has now received at least two vaccine doses.
- **January 7**: Over 90% of COVID-19 cases in Denmark are now Omicron. ❗
- **January 11**: WHO announces that over half of Europe's population will contract the Omicron variant within the next 6-8 weeks.
- **January 13**: Today, 25,588 COVID-19 cases are registered via PCR tests. In total, 1,093,860 Danes have been infected or reinfected during COVID-19.
- **January 19**: The Omicron subvariant BA.2 now accounts for 45% of all Danish Omicron cases. ❗
- **January 21**: Blood banks and SSI collaborate to investigate the underreporting of COVID-19 infections.
- **January 24**: Today, 57,491 COVID-19 cases are registered via PCR tests.
- **January 28**: Today, 38,296 COVID-19 cases are registered via PCR tests. In total, 1,699,281 Danes have been infected or reinfected during COVID-19.
- **January 30**: Today, 34,976 COVID-19 cases are registered via PCR tests. In total, 1,764,257 Danes have been infected or reinfected during COVID-19.
- **February 1**: Restrictions are lifted, and COVID-19 is no longer considered a critical threat to society. The requirement for testing upon entry to Denmark is maintained. ❗
- **February 28**: PCR testing capacity is scaled down from 200,000 to 140,000 daily tests.

### March

- **March 6**: Rapid test centers close.
- **March 7**: PCR testing capacity is scaled down from 140,000 to 100,000 daily tests.
- **March 10**: The Danish Health Authority now recommends PCR testing only for individuals with symptoms who are at increased risk of a severe course.
- **March 16**: Denmark donates 250,000 Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine doses to Bhutan.
- **March 29**: There are no longer restrictions for entering Denmark for people from within or outside the EU.

### April

- **April 1**: It is estimated via the blood donor study that up to 70% of the adult Danish population has had COVID-19 from November 2021 until now.❗
- **April 4**: PCR testing capacity is scaled down from 100,000 to 40,000 daily tests. In connection with the downscaling, the number of test sites is reduced. Opening hours for test centers are also adjusted.
- **April 9**: From March 2020 to April 9, 2022, there have been 50,236 hospitalizations in Denmark where the patient had a positive PCR test within 14 days of admission or tested positive during hospitalization.
- **April 14**: Over 500 million COVID-19 cases have occurred worldwide.
- **April 28**: Visitors and staff no longer need to wear face masks at, for example, nursing homes, hospitals, and doctor's offices. Individuals with respiratory symptoms are still advised to wear face masks.
- **May 2**: 1.1 million surplus COVID-19 vaccines are destroyed after Denmark unsuccessfully contacted 70 countries in an attempt to find a recipient.
- **May 3**: Statens Serum Institut releases a new risk assessment of the resumption of mink farming in Denmark.
- **May 5**: Three new Omicron subvariants are found in Denmark: BA.2.12.1 has been found in 50 Danes from weeks 14 to 17; BA.4 has been found in 14 Danes, and BA.5 in 2 Danes. ❗
- **May 6**: WHO estimates that from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, between 13.3 and 16.6 million people worldwide have died due to COVID-19. The number is an estimate of the total deaths directly or indirectly linked to COVID-19.
- **May 11**: The requirement to wear face masks in European airports and flights ends.
- **May 15**: The Danish Health Authority will no longer send invitations for COVID-19 vaccination to citizens. In the future, individuals must order a COVID-19 vaccine themselves if they wish. The vaccination program can be restarted if necessary. ❗
- **May 15**: 6,287 people in Denmark have died after being infected with or reinfected with COVID-19.
- **May 18**: Statens Serum Institut, together with Danish Regions, has initiated a new surveillance study of COVID-19 infection called the "PCR Home Test Study."
- **May 26**: Denmark donates 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccines to Thailand.
- **May 30**: In Denmark, over 4.92 million first doses, over 4.83 million second doses, over 3.67 million third doses, and a total of 39,197 fourth doses have been administered. ❗

### June

- **June 1**: In Denmark, 5,456,705 individuals have been PCR tested. A total of 5,609,028 PCR tests have been conducted. Nearly 3 million Danes have at some point received a positive PCR test, and a total of 3,138,159 positive PCR tests have been registered.
- **June 21**: The Omicron subvariant BA.5 is now dominant in Denmark. ❗
- **June 22**: The Prime Minister holds a press conference about the corona strategy for the coming months. 2.5 million Danes will be offered revaccination before the end of the year.
- **Late June**: "Very vulnerable" Danes are offered revaccination.
- **June 29**: A new SSI research project on why some become very ill from viruses receives 52 million DKK from the EU.

### July

- **July 1**: Staff in eldercare are encouraged to self-test twice a week.
- **July 1**: Individuals under 18 can no longer receive the first vaccine dose unless they are in a special risk group.
- **July 4**: Testing capacity is scaled down to 10,000 daily PCR tests.

### September

- **September 1**: Individuals under 18 can no longer receive the second vaccine dose unless they are particularly vulnerable.
- **September 1**: The EU Commission has approved the first variant-updated COVID-19 vaccines.
- **September 15**: Nursing home residents and particularly vulnerable elderly are invited for the fourth dose.
- **October 1**: Danes over 50 and selected risk groups are invited for the fourth dose.

### October

- **October 12**: AstraZeneca abandons coronavirus in the form of a nasal spray as the effect is not good enough.
- **October 20**: The first shipment of corona pills has arrived in Denmark: The medication is Paxlovid, an oral treatment against coronavirus. Denmark has purchased a total of 40,000 treatments of the medication.
- **October 27**: A Danish-developed COVID-19 vaccine begins testing in blind trials with the first Danish test subjects. The vaccine is developed by the University of Copenhagen and Bavarian Nordic.

### November

- **November 7**: Pharmacies, doctors, etc., can now order COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate individuals outside the vaccination target group. Individuals must pay for the vaccine themselves.
- **November 15**: Danish citizens can now purchase a booster vaccination at their own expense if they are not included in the current vaccination target group.

### December

- **December 1**: In Denmark, over 4.93 million first doses, over 4.84 million second doses, over 3.7 million third doses, and a total of 1,871,665 fourth doses have been administered.
- **December 1**: In Denmark, a total of 5,657,874 individuals have been PCR tested. A total of 5,865,169 PCR tests have been conducted. Over 3.1 million Danes have received at least one positive PCR test, and a total of 3,356,125 positive PCR tests have been registered.
- **December 1**: 7,537 people in Denmark have died after being infected with COVID-19 or after being reinfected.
- **December 1**: A new experiment with supervised PCR self-testing is launched at the test center in Valby.
- **December 3**: WHO's chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, states that it is estimated that 90% of the world's population now has some immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
- **December 7**: Worldwide, 12.9 billion vaccine doses against COVID-19 have been administered, and 5.4 billion people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least once, according to WHO.
- **December 8**: The Danish Health Authority informs that it is no longer required to self-isolate upon a positive corona test. At the same time, one no longer needs to be tested for COVID-19 upon acute hospital admission.
- **December 8**: Over 6.4 million people have died either with or due to COVID-19 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

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