Finland continues to beat its own records, as the epidemic spreads across the country with a speed that public authorities consider "alarming."
The incidence of new cases has again doubled and it was 20.7 infections per 100,000 inhabitants during the last two weeks of assessment (14-27 September). But this is across the country. The specific figures for the capital region, where most cases are, are not known.
On Thursday, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), reported 111 new infections, bringing the total caseload to 10,103.
Health authorities also reported 1 death associated with the Covid-19 disease in the Tampere Hospital District (TAYS). However, in the district of Kuopio (KYS) the number of fatalities was corrected down by 2, so the official number of deaths is now 344, one less than in the previous daily report.
Source: THL.
Epidemic "accelerating"
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said in a press release that the proportion of positive tests has increased "alarmingly" in the last two weeks. Especially in the metropolitan area (Helsinki-Uusimaa) the situation has "deteriorated rapidly" and 425 cases were detected in the last week of assessment.
The recent development in the capital region largely explains the situation in the whole country. However, the epidemic of Covid-19 seems to be "accelerating" nationwide, the Ministry added. During the last week 686 cases were detected across Finland and 1,149 cases in the last two weeks of assessment.
Mask use extended
THL's infectious diseases head Taneli Puumalainen said in a weekly briefing that recommendations on mask use have been extended to the entire country. In practice, this means that face shields should be used in public transport, at high schools, vocational schools and universities, as well as in public indoor spaces and at public events. The aim, he stressed, is to avoid total lockdown of society.
It is estimated that more than 8,100 people (more than 80%) who contracted Covid-19 disease in Finland have been cured.
