Danish health experts predict that the Omicron variant will help get out of the pandemic situation, declared almost two years ago.

Danish experts assure that there is no doubt despite the fact that last Thursday, the 6th, almost 24,000 new casesThe seven-day average is close to 20,000 new cases, and 11 deaths.

The peak of infection is expected between late January and early February, after which, according to Tyra Grove Krause, chief epidemiologist at Statens Serum Institut, a Danish government campus dedicated to science, a decline in SARS-CoV-2 infections will follow.

At new evaluation risk of the Statens Serum InstitutUp to 25,000 to 55,000 infections per day are expected by the end of January. While in hospitals, they are preparing to receive 150 to 360 new admissions per day in early February.

But, in the next two months a return to so-called normal life, the one we had in 2019, is really expected.

"I believe we'll have it [to the Omicron variant] in the next couple of months, and then hopefully the infection will start to subside," Tyra Grove Krause said on television on the public station Danish TV2.

In the interview it was also highlighted how Danish authorities expect the Covid-19 threat to end before March, and that medical consultations by Omicron will begin to decrease as the weeks go by.

For the epidemiologist, Omicron could become the "variant that will help us get out of the pandemic," because there is half the risk of hospitalization in case of infection with the strain discovered in October in South Africa, unlike the Delta variant. "By February, we will see a decrease in the pressure of infections and on the health care system," predicts the Statens Serum Institut physician.

According to the Portuguese newspaper Visão, earlier this week, the institution released a new research on Omicron, confirming that there is increased transmission among the unvaccinated and reduced transmission for those who have already received the third or booster dose.

In Denmark, about 80% of the population is vaccinated with the two doses and about half (48.5%) have already been inoculated with the booster dose.

With Omicron dominant in a number of countries, Tyra Grove Krause has no doubt that this variant "is here to stay and that will provide a massive spread of infection next month." However, the expert also warns that "we will have to make an effort in January, because it will be difficult to pass it."

Betting on vaccination and natural immunity might be a good strategy: "I think Omicron will spread globally and we will all get some immunity, both through our vaccines and some extra immunity from being infected with Omicron," added Tyra Grove Krause.

For now, the restrictions in Denmark continue and include having closed cultural venues such as theaters, cinemas, and museums; the wearing of masks is mandatory in closed public spaces, such as stores, but also on public transport; and the presentation of a digital vaccination certificate is required to enter bars, restaurants, and cafes.