The weekly number of COVID-19 cases in Finland is now down to about one third of what was reported in the first week of May.
However, last week (14–20 June) the downward trend in the number of cases slowed down. A total of 514 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register, showing a decrease of about 40 cases from the previous week.
According to the latest monitoring report on the epidemic released by the Finnish health authorities, the percentage of cases where the virus was contracted abroad grew. These cases accounted for 33% of all new cases, while in the previous week, they accounted for only 19%.
The percentage of imported infections is likely to continue to rise in the next report, which will include the dozens of cases contracted by football fans during their trips to Russia to watch the Finnish national team play at EURO 2020. Those infections have been reported by local authorities this week.
Authorities fear that there may also be an increase in infections contracted in other countries and associated with summer holidays. Therefore, despite the relaxation of travel restrictions, the official recommendation for Finnish residents remains to avoid unnecessary traveling abroad.
Incidence declined
Even so, the incidence of new cases in the last two weeks continues to decline. Between 7-20 June it was 19 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 29 in the previous two weeks.
Over the past month, the COVID-19 situation has improved considerably in the majority of the areas. In fact, most areas are recording only a small number of new cases, if any.
Currently, only the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa is in the acceleration phase of the epidemic. The other hospital districts are mainly at a stable level, with only a few municipalities in the acceleration phase.
Patients in hospital
Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 33 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 23 June 2021. Of them, 5 were in intensive care.
On 23 June 2021, the total number of deaths related to the disease was 969.
In Finland, about 56% of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and 16% their second dose.
