Number of new Covid-19 cases decreasing in Finland

The number of new coronavirus cases seems to have started to fall in Finland.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the total number of new cases reported between 16 and 22 August was 4,334. This is about 800 cases fewer than in the preceding week when the figure was 5,176.

However, the number of new cases remains high in the opinion of the Finnish health authorities, and Covid-19 continues to spread especially among unvaccinated young people and adults.

The last monitoring report on the epidemic released by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) shows that the incidence of cases decreased in almost all age groups between 16 and 22 August when compared to the previous week. However, among those under the age of 10, the incidence rate went up by 14% from the previous week.

The incidence of cases over the last two-week period (9–22 August) was 172 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is almost the same as in the preceding two-week period (26 July–8 August) when the incidence of cases was 175 per 100,000 residents.

Of all the new cases, 6% originated from abroad, says THL.

Hospital situation

The burden on specialised healthcare has remained stable over the past few weeks. The majority of those in need of hospital care are unvaccinated. In addition, some regions have reported a strain on primary healthcare capacity. Health authorities blame the shortage of personnel caused by contact tracing and vaccinations and the pressure caused by the backlog in treatment that has accumulated as a result of the epidemic.

Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 99 people were receiving hospital care due to the Covid-19 disease on 25 August. Of them, 21 were inpatients in primary healthcare, 56 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 22 inpatients in intensive care. On 25 August, the total number of Covid-19-related deaths since the start of the epidemic was 1,018.

Vaccination

Finland somewhat lags behind other European countries in vaccinations. According to the latest data, about 71% of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and 47% their second dose.

Regarding children and youth vaccination, about 44% of people aged 12–15 have already received their first dose. More than 80% of those over 40 have received their first dose. The vaccination coverage of 16–39-year-olds is currently lower, standing at 69–75%.