Coronavirus situation is stable and closely monitored

The coronavirus epidemic has remained stable in Finland. During the last period (13–19 July), a total of 40 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register. The number of cases is at the same level as in the previous two weeks. 

Some of the new cases are related to well-known infection chains and clusters of cases that are being monitored. The infection chains of all new cases are carefully tracked in order to prevent new infections as effectively as possible.

Currently, the estimated basic reproduction number is 0.55–0.95, with a 90 per cent probability. This means that although the downward trend of new coronavirus infections has stalled, the situation is stable at national level.

Last week, the number of people tested for coronavirus was slightly higher than in the previous two weeks. The percentage of positive COVID-19 cases of all samples taken has remained low. 

The report by the situational picture and modelling group published today as well as earlier reports are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare:

• Monitoring coronavirus (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish)Linkki toiselle sivustolleAvautuu uudessa välilehdessä

A total of 7,362 positive cases have been detected in Finland by 22 July 2020. There have been 328 deaths related to the disease. It is estimated that 6,920 people, i.e. over 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, have recovered from the disease. As of 22 July 2020, only 4 patients were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease. None of them were in intensive care.

Testing is very important now

As the restrictions related to the coronavirus epidemic are gradually lifted, it is important to continue testing for active cases in order to identify all infection chains and break them in time. 

It is therefore recommended that anyone with the slightest symptoms of a coronavirus infection seek a laboratory test. More information about the tests:

• Symptoms and treatment of coronavirus Linkki toiselle sivustolleAvautuu uudessa välilehdessä
• Preparedness for coronavirus testing remains important in summer months (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish)Linkki toiselle sivustolleAvautuu uudessa välilehdessä
• Travel and the coronavirus pandemic – Instructions for travellers and employees arriving in Finland (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)Linkki toiselle sivustolleAvautuu uudessa välilehdessä

Inquiries:

Mika Salminen, Director, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (epidemiological situation)
Tuija Leino, Chief Physician, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (modelling team) 
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director General of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, requests for contact by SMS, tel. +358 50 3310 314 (situational picture and modelling group)