Only close contacts exposed to infection at home should self-isolate

On 29 November, the Danish Health Authority issued guidance for close contacts of those infected with the Omicron variant. All close contacts of confirmed Omicron COVID-19 cases – whether vaccinated or previously infected – were asked to self-isolate and get a PCR test on days 1, 4 and 6 after the last contact.

As we feared, the number of infected with the Omicron variant continues to climb, and the Omicron has now spread across the entire country.  There is also a steep incline in the total number of COVID-19 cases, and on 17 December, Denmark registered a record number of 11,100 new confirmed cases. We must therefore take immediate and decisive action to minimise the spread of the virus where the risk of infection is the greatest. 

"You are most likely to get infected in your own home. In the current situation, we are recommending self-isolation as well as PCR tests on days 4 and 6 after contact to limit the spread of infection as much as possible. Evidence suggests that you are better protected from infection if you have been given the 3rd booster vaccine dose, which is why you do not have to self-isolate if you have been revaccinated,” says Deputy Director General Helene Probst.

"Secondary contacts do not have to self-isolate but must get tested. We are constantly striving to maintain a balance between preventing the spread of infection while avoiding too many people in self-isolation so our society can still function," says Helene Probst.

Danish and international studies show that the vast majority of those who are infected have been infected at home and within the first 4 days after they were first exposed to infection. In the future, we define close contacts as only those who were exposed to infection at home. They must self-isolate and get tested on days 4 and 6 – regardless of which COVID-19 variant they have. They can stop self-isolating if they get a negative test on day 4. We recommend taking a PCR test on day 4, but due to the current high demand for PCR tests, you only have to take a rapid antigen test on day 6.

Those who have become infected must contact others who have been close to them and tell them to take a test immediately and a follow-up test on day 4.

The guidelines for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases have been adjusted in light of the current situation and our knowledge of Omicron. Further adjustments may become necessary when and as we learn more about this new variant.  

The Danish Health Authority's publications on close contacts will be updated as soon as possible.