Coronavirus infections increase in China in coming weeks – no immediate effect on disease situation in Finland and Europe
Coronavirus infections have increased considerably in China and the growth is expected to continue in the coming weeks. Consequently, the burden on the country's health care system has grown significantly. The situation is the result of the country's relaxed restrictions and the low level of protection against the disease. The Chinese New Year will be celebrated at the end of January, which could hasten the spread of the disease.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) says that the growing number of cases in China is unlikely to affect the prevalence of the coronavirus in Europe. The virus is already prevalent among the populations of many countries. In addition, the coronavirus variants that are now spreading in China have previously been the main viruses in Europe, where they have been replaced by new forms.
Widespread proliferation of corona virus infections increases the risk of new virus variants, but these can also emerge anywhere.
“In Europe the population is better protected, especially against the severe form of coronavirus disease, owing to both a higher vaccination rate, and the protection given by past infection with the disease. Finland also has good vaccine coverage, and the vaccines that are used give good protection against the severe form of the disease”, says THL Chief Specialist Jari Jalava.
THL does not recommend travel restrictions
Some countries, including the United States, Japan, and Italy, have said that they plan to impose travel restrictions on people coming from China. THL is not currently recommending travel restrictions.
THL recommends travelling only when healthy, taking care of hygiene measures, and keeping safe distances and wearing masks when needed.
THL is continually monitoring the situation in China and the virus variants spreading in Finland through virus sequencing.
Further information
Coronavirus Covid-19 (THL)
Jari Jalava
Chief Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 6629
[email protected]
