The number of new coronavirus infections in Finland almost unchanged 

The coronavirus epidemic situation in Finland remains stable. During the last period (20–26 July 2020), a total of 51 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register. The weekly number of cases has risen slightly and is now at the same level as at the end of June.

The incidence of new cases during week 30 was 0.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. In the past two periods, incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was is 1.7. The previous reference figure was 1.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. 

Currently, the estimated basic reproduction number is 0.85-1.05, with a 90 per cent probability. The national epidemiological situation remains stable, even though the decline in the incidence of infections has come to a halt. 

Last week, approximately 4,000 people per day were tested for coronavirus. The percentage of positive COVID-19 cases of all samples taken has remained low. The highest number of new cases were reported in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa and the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. No new cases were reported in 14 of the 21 hospital districts in Finland. 

Some of the new cases are related to well-known infection chains and clusters of cases that are being monitored. Cases have also been reported in Finland that most likely originated abroad. The transmission chains of all new cases will be traced to prevent the infection from spreading. It is important to closely monitor and assess the development of the situation.

On 29 July 2020, the total number of coronavirus infections reported in Finland was 7,414. There have been 329 deaths related to the disease. It is estimated that 6,950 people, i.e. over 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, have recovered from the disease. On 29 July 2020, a total of 4 patients were in hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease, none of them in intensive care. 

The most recent weekly report of the situational picture and modelling group as well as previous reports are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

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

It is important to continue active testing in order to identify all infection chains and break them in time. Anyone with the slightest symptoms of a coronavirus infection should get tested. More information about the tests:

• Symptoms and treatment of coronavirus (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)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)
Kari Auranen, Professor, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (projection models)
Annakaisa Iivari, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi 
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director General of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi (situational picture and modelling group, as of 3 August)