Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Number of new coronavirus infections stable over past three weeks
The number of new coronavirus infections remains relatively small at national level. While the number and incidence of cases have risen compared to the low figures at the beginning of July, they have remained stable over the past three weeks.
The increase in the number and incidence of cases since early July is most evident in Helsinki and the Uusimaa region.
During the latest period (17–23 August), a total of 159 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register. In the previous week (10–6 August), the number of reported cases was 164.
Infections of both domestic and foreign origin have been reported in Finland. Infections have been traced to a number of countries, and some of these infections have led to new infections and chains of transmission.
Some of the new confirmed cases are related to known chains of transmission and clusters of cases that are being monitored, but the source of all infections is not known. A number of domestic mass exposures have been identified, including larger family gatherings and public events.
Several incidents of exposure to COVID-19 in day-care centres and schools have been identified in recent weeks. The aim is to carefully track the transmission chains of all new cases in order to prevent new infections as effectively as possible.
More COVID-19 tests performed than before
At present, the testing capacity of laboratories is more than 14,000 samples per day. During the past two weeks (10–23 August), the number of COVID-19 tests has continued to be high with more than 10,000 tests on most days.
The percentage of positive COVID-19 cases of all samples taken has remained low.
Currently, the estimated basic reproduction number (R0) is 1.30–1.40, with a 90 per cent probability interval. The estimated R0 and the forecast for the number of periods in hospital and intensive care over the next week have remained at the same level as the week before.
Finland now has a total of 8,002 coronavirus infections
On 26 August 2020, the total number of confirmed cases in Finland was 8,002. There have been 335 deaths related to the disease.
It is estimated that 7,200 people, i.e. over 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, have recovered from the disease.
On 26 August 2020, a total of five patients were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease. One of them was in intensive care. The number of hospitalised coronavirus patients has remained at a low level since the beginning of July.
Inquiries
Taneli Puumalainen, Chief Physician, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (development of the epidemic)
Kari Auranen, Professor, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (projection models)
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Strategic Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi (situational picture and modelling group)