Press release by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
COVID-19 epidemic not yet subsided in Finland — case numbers may start rising again

In Finland, the COVID-19 situation deteriorated very quickly in some areas, also at local level, between 10 and 16 May. Despite this, the number of new cases was about 70 per cent lower than between 8 and 14 March when the number of cases was at its highest.

The rate of decline in the number of cases has stabilised over the past four weeks, and the favourable development of the epidemic stalled between 3 and 9 May. For this reason, it is justified that regions maintain comprehensive and effective ways to prevent infections while the vaccine rollout is progressing swiftly. This helps to create better conditions for opening up society in the coming summer.

COVID-19 vaccine provides good protection but we need to be vigilant

The vaccine rollout has progressed well across the country. In Finland, as many as 90 per cent of people aged 70 or older and 46 per cent of all those over 16 have already received their first vaccine dose. It is estimated that all those aged 16 or over who wish to be vaccinated will have received their first dose by the end of July. 

The vaccine provides good protection against COVID-19 and the more serious forms of the disease. However, it does not remove the risk of contracting and transmitting the disease completely. The virus has spread in the population throughout the country. It is therefore important that those who have already received their first or second vaccine dose continue to keep a safe distance from others, wear a mask, wash their hands and follow the guidelines and recommendations in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

Infections are still detected effectively 

Between 10 April and 16 May, about 1,400 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register, showing a decrease of less than 100 cases from the previous week. The incidence of new cases was 25 per 100,000 inhabitants between 10 and 16 May, while in the previous week it was 27. About 40 per cent of all new cases were reported among people already in quarantine.

The total number of new cases reported in the last two-week period was almost 2,900, which is about 100 cases fewer than in the preceding two-week period. The incidence of new cases was 52 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the preceding two-week period it was 54.

The estimated basic reproduction number is the same as the week before, i.e. 0.8–1.0, with a 90 per cent probability. Throughout April, the estimated basic reproduction number was below one.

Between 10 and 16 May, the number of people tested for COVID-19, about 111,000 people, was lower than in the previous week. The percentage of positive samples of those tested was about the same as the week before, approximately 1.3 per cent. This percentage has remained low, meaning that infections are still detected effectively.

Need for hospital care increased from previous week, but need for intensive care remained at same level

The number of COVID-19 patients in hospital care was highest at the end of March before Easter (between 22 March and 4 April). The number of inpatients in specialised and primary healthcare decreased in April, but the number increased again from the previous week. 
The need for intensive care, however, has remained more or less the same in recent weeks. According to the forecast, the number of periods in specialised healthcare and intensive care in Finland over the next week will be slightly lower than what was predicted last week.
 
On Wednesday 19 May, there were 26 patients in intensive care, 40 inpatients in primary healthcare and 82 inpatients in specialised healthcare. The total number of COVID-19 inpatients was 148. 

On 19 May 2021, the total number of deaths related to the disease was 929.

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 SwedishLänk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare)Länk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• Coronavirus in numbers (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa)Länk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• Action plan for implementing the hybrid strategy to curb the COVID-19 epidemic in January-May 2021 (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2021:1)Länk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• Effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on wellbeing, services and the economy (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare), in FinnishLänk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• Progress with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare), in Finnish and SwedishLänk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik
• Guidelines for the controlled dismantling of restrictions and recommendations put in place due to the COVID-19 epidemic, in Finnish Government memorandum 20 April 2021 (Prime Minister's Office), in FinnishLänk till en annan webbplatsÖppnas i en ny flik

Inquiries:

Mika Salminen, Director, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, firstname.lastname@thl.fi (development of the epidemic)
Kari Auranen, Senior Researcher, 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)
Pasi Pohjola, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, firstname.lastname@stm.fi (situational picture and modelling group)