Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Number of COVID-19 cases doubled largely due to fans returning from Euro 2020 matches
A total of 1,282 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 28 June and 4 July. During the previous week the corresponding figure was around 960. The number of new cases has doubled compared to the preceding two-week period: during the past two weeks, the number of new cases totalled 2,240, while in the preceding two-week period, it was 1,093. The weekly number of COVID-19 cases was at its lowest in week 24 (between 14 and 20 June), totalling around 530. The recent spike in COVID-19 cases is largely due to football fans returning from Russia after attending UEFA European Championship matches.
The resulting infections have been largely traced and necessary people quarantined. By 6 July, hospital districts have reported to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare of 481 cases related to the Euro 2020 matches, with 165 further infections. The majority of the new cases have been reported in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. In week 25, more than 40 per cent of the reported infections were directly linked to the UEFA European Championship matches, while in week 26, the corresponding share was 15 cent cent.
Increase in the number of tests
Between 28 June and 4 July, about 97,000 tests were taken, which is around 26,500 tests more than the week before. Over the past two weeks, the number of positive COVID-19 tests has been higher than during the first half of June (1.4% between 21 and 27 June and 1.3% between 28 June and 4 July).
Epidemiological situation has deteriorated in certain areas
The epidemiological situation has deteriorated in certain areas. In addition to the Euro 2020 tourism, the increase in the number of infections can be explained by increased travel abroad and border traffic, and the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in Russia. There are also local COVID-19 clusters and infections resulting from social contacts.
In certain areas, infections are found especially among seasonal workers. As seasonal workers often work in their own teams and their work arrangements are carefully instructed, the cases have not resulted in large-scale transmission chains.
In line with the previous weeks, the highest incidence was among 20–29-year-olds.
Need for intensive care remains unchanged
Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 44 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 7 July 2021. Of them, 7 were inpatients in primary healthcare, 30 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 7 inpatients in intensive care. On 7 July 2021, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths reported to the communicable diseases register was 976.
According to reporting by intensive care units, there were eight new COVID-19 periods in intensive care between 28 June and 4 July. Compared to last week, the need for intensive care has remained almost unchanged.
In Finland, about 61 per cent of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and 21 per cent their second dose.
Recommendation: Avoid all travel to Russia
Cases where the virus was contracted abroad has stabilised but remains significant: between 21 and 27 July, half (50%) of the cases originated from abroad and between 28 June and 4 July their proportion was one in every four cases (24%). The further infections resulting from them accounted for 9 per cent of all cases between 28 June and 4 July.
Due to the new virus variants and significantly deteriorated COVID-19 situation in Russia, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends that all travel to Russia be avoided. In all travel abroad, it necessary to use discretion, follow the development of the epidemic in the destination country and comply with the guidelines from authorities when returning home.
Further information:
- Health security at Finland’s borders:: Government decides on requirements for people arriving in Finland from abroad
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends to avoid travel to RussiaСсылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
Weekly situation report available also in July
The development of the epidemic will be monitored throughout the summer. A report on the epidemic is published on Thursdays at 10.00.
The monitoring report on the epidemic published today and the previous reports are available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
- Monitoring coronavirus (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish and Swedish) Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- Coronavirus in numbers (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa) Opens in a new tabСсылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- Action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy to control the COVID-19 epidemic (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2021:21, description sheet in English) Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- Effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on wellbeing, services and the economy (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish) Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- Progress with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, in Finnish and Swedish) Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
- Guidelines for the controlled dismantling of restrictions and recommendations put in place due to the COVID-19 epidemic: Government memorandum 20 April 2021 (Prime Minister’s Office, in Finnish)Ссылка на другой сайтОткрывается в новой вкладке
Inquiries
Taneli Puumalainen, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi
Mika Salminen, Director, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi
Simopekka Vänskä, Senior Researcher, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi