The number of coronavirus (koronavirus, in Finnish) cases in Finland continues to increase. In the last 24 hours, at least 71 new infections have been registered, according to the last figures published on Saturday by the National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL).
THL says on Saturday the total number of laboratory diagnosed infections is now 521 (it was 450 on Friday).
The national health agency explained that this updated figure is based on laboratory-verified cases collected directly from the different hospital districts across the country.
Health authorities recently announced changes in the counting system, which in future will be based on the number of cases reported to the national Register of Communicable Diseases. To date, this register has been notified of 413 cases, this is 108 cases less. THL admitted that the new system may cause delays and regional variations".
Of the reported cases, 61% are men and 39% are women.
Olemme jälleen päivittäneet #koronavirus -tilannekatsauksen (la 21.3. klo 13.45).
— THL (@THLorg) March 21, 2020
✅ Suomessa on tutkittu n. 7 300 koronavirusnäytettä.
✅ Vahvistettuja tapauksia on yhteensä 521.
✅ Euroopassa on todettu yli 100 000 tapausta.
Lue lisää ⬇https://t.co/LhRKX8EJdu pic.twitter.com/pDw5hN6g4X
Cause of the infections
Regarding the cause of those infections, THL says usually they are tourists who had been travelling abroad. However, the health agency also says that "Chains of infection have also been detected in Finland, which have not been completely resolved."
To date, nearly 7,300 tests have been made that meet the sampling criteria. But in Finland only people with severe respiratory symptoms are being tested. For this reason, THL admits the actual number of Covid-19 infections "Is likely to be higher than reported because not all cases with mild symptoms are tested."
So far, most of the Covid-19 cases found in Finland have been mild. However, on Friday the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said there are 17 patients hospitalized and 5 of them are in intensive care.
Over 100,000 cases have been diagnosed in Europe.
