H1N1 returns, power prices surge and school absenteeism rises

News overview for Sjælland 8 November 2026: H1N1 influenza is back, and young people in particular may be more susceptible. The electricity price in Eastern Denmark is the highest in 4 years, and in Ringsted Kommune several students have had high absenteeism.

H1N1 influenza is back – especially young people can be affected

Statens Serum Institut (SSI), a national health authority, reports that the flu outbreak in Denmark has not yet seriously begun. The numbers are slightly higher than at the same time last year, but have stagnated, and SSI does not expect a season as intense as last year's.

When the outbreak begins, the H1N1 variant from the 2009 pandemic is expected to drive the spread of infection in the beginning. Especially young people may be more susceptible, because many older people have already encountered a variation of the variant; the vaccine is still expected to be effective for older people, who are recommended to get vaccinated. TV 2 Øst

Electricity prices are the highest in 4 years

The pure electricity price last week reached 1,8 kr. per kilowatt-hour in East Denmark. This is the highest level since December 2022, according to Norlys in a press release.

The price is due to the weather phenomenon known as a dark doldrum, where a lack of wind combined with clouds, fog or a low winter sun limits production from wind turbines and solar panels. According to Norlys, the phenomenon has simultaneously affected large parts of Europe, and particularly high gas prices have been reflected in the electricity price. TV 2 Øst

Ringsted Kommune: More pupils have high absenteeism

In Ringsted Kommune, the local public authority, 956 out of 2,572 pupils in the municipal primary schools had more than 10 percent absenteeism in the 2025/26 school year. This corresponds to 37.2 percent and is an increase from 33.7 percent the year before.

268 pupils, or 10.4 percent, have at least 20 percent absenteeism, compared with 8.0 percent in 2024/25. Five schools have drawn up intervention plans, and the municipality is establishing a special team to support Campusskolen, Valdemarskolen, Dagmarskolen, Vigersted Skole and Nordbakkeskolen. TV 2 Øst

Kalundborg scraps empty medical bus

A free bus that has transported doctors from Copenhagen to Kalundborg since October has not carried a single passenger. This is according to the head of transport at Region Sjælland, the public authority responsible for, among other things, healthcare in the region.

The bus runs weekdays at 7.30 from DGI Byen in Copenhagen to Kalundborg Sundheds- og Akuthus and returns at 15.00, but only if someone wants to travel. The route costs 7,860 kr. per day, and the region is now considering scrapping the scheme from New Year, when the contract expires. TV 2 Øst

Orø is looking for a new parish constable

Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi has advertised the position of parish constable on Orø. A parish constable is the police's local outpost and can, among other things, respond to disturbances in the home and take a citizen's keys if there is concern about drink-driving.

The working time is 5-10 hours per month, and the monthly salary is 986 kr. before tax. The current parish constable is stopping at the turn of the year after 44 years, so the position is vacant. DR Nyheder Sjælland

Nykøbing Falster lose in Champions League

Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub (NFH) lost 31-25 to Norway’s Storhamar in the Champions League on Saturday evening. The match was already decided at the final whistle of the first half, during which almost everything went wrong for the Danish hosts.

NFH remains outside the top 8 in its Champions League group, which is advancing to the next stage of the tournament. TV 2 Øst

Brief News

• The government, Venstre, De Konservative and Enhedslisten have reached agreement on a new pricing model for the residential care sector. TV 2 Øst
• The Clergy Association and the Consumer Council Tænk support a citizens' proposal for state licensing of chiropractors. TV 2 Øst
• The former waste disposal site at Ubberup in Kalundborg Municipality still does not meet the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's requirements. TV 2 Øst
• Næstved Municipality has paid the organisers 400,000 kr. to move the Simba Prisen awards show to Arena Næstved. TV 2 Øst
• The Leonids are expected to peak during the night between 17 and 18 November and may produce around 15 shooting stars per hour under ideal conditions. TV 2 Øst
• A literature festival on Sejerø could become a reality next summer; the organisers have applied for 48,000 kr. from Kalundborg Municipality and still need to find 122,000 kr. TV 2 Øst
• There is a chance of autumn's first sleet on Thursday. TV 2 Øst
• An accident on Sydmotorvejen between Rødbyhavn and Holeby will block the left lane in the direction from Rødbyhavn toward Sakskøbing on Sunday morning. TV 2 Øst