The coronavirus epidemic in Finland is decreasing in intensity and the incidence of infections continues to decline. However, the rate of decline in the number of cases has somehow stabilized over the past four weeks.
According to the latest monitoring report by the Finnish health authorities, the favourable development "stalled" and the situation even "deteriorated very quickly in some areas" at the local level between 10 and 16 may.
Despite this, the number of new cases was about 70% lower than between 8 and 14 March when the number of cases was at its highest.
"Covid-19 vaccine provides good protection but we need to be vigilant," says the Ministry of Social Affairs and health.
The vaccine rollout has progressed relatively well across the country. 90% of people aged 70 or older and 46% of all those over 16 have already received their first vaccine dose.
It is estimated that all those aged 16 or over who wish to be vaccinated will have received their first dose by the end of July.
1,400 new infections
Between 10 and 16 May, about 1,400 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register, showing a decrease of less than 100 cases from the previous week.
The incidence of new cases was 25 per 100,000 inhabitants between 10 and 16 May, while in the previous week it was 27.
The total number of new cases reported in the last two-week period was almost 2,900, which is about 100 cases fewer than in the preceding two-week period. The incidence of new cases was 52 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the preceding two-week period it was 54.
On Thursday 20 May, there were 135 patients hospitalized, of which 28 were in intensive care.
Finland has reported 90,946 coronavirus infections and 929 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
