COVID-19 cases continue to fall

The number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing in Finland, with most areas recording only a small number of new cases. The incidence of COVID-19 cases is higher in some areas of southern Finland than in the rest of the country. However, the epidemic has also continued to slow down in densely populated areas.

Between 31 May and 6 June, a total of 716 new cases were reported to the communicable diseases register, which is nearly 200 cases fewer than in the preceding week when the figure was 888. 

The incidence rate has almost halved within the last month. In the last two-week period (24 May–6 June), the incidence of new cases was 28 per 100,000 inhabitants, while in the preceding two-week period (3–16 May), it was 49.

In most of the areas, the epidemic is at a stable level. On 9 June 2021, the areas in the community transmission phase were the Hospital Districts of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), Päijät-Häme and Kanta-Häme and the areas in the acceleration phase were the Hospital Districts of Central Ostrobothnia and Southwest Finland.

Further infections prevented well

People already in quarantine accounted for 25 per cent of all new cases between 31 May and 6 June. 

The percentage of cases where the virus was contracted abroad has grown. Between 31 May and 6 June, they accounted for 16 per cent of all new cases and, in the preceding week, for 7.5 per cent of all new cases. However, further infections resulting from them have been prevented well. These infections accounted for 1.5 per cent of all cases.

The source of infection was traced in 60 per cent of all new cases of domestic origin. About 3,500 people were placed in quarantine. 

Currently, the estimated effective basic reproduction number is 0.55–0.7, with a 90 per cent probability. This means that the number is smaller than the week before when it was 0.75–0.95. The estimated reproduction number was slightly higher in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, standing at 0.65–0.85.

Improved epidemiological situation reflected in test numbers and need for hospital care

There has been a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 tests. Between 31 May and 6 June, nearly 110,000 tests were taken, which is more than 10,000 tests fewer than in the preceding week. 

The percentage of positive samples of all those tested was about the same as the week before, standing at 0.7 per cent. This small percentage of positive samples suggests that infections among the population continue to be detected effectively.

According to the hospital districts, a total of 58 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 9 June 2021. There were 12 inpatients in primary healthcare, 39 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 7 inpatients in intensive care. The numbers of patients have been continually falling within the last month, and the number of new periods in specialised healthcare is expected to continue falling over the next week.

On 9 June 2021, the total number of deaths related to the disease was 964.  

Prevention of infections is also important in the summer

In Finland, about 48 per cent of the population have received their first vaccine dose and 12 per cent their second dose. The vaccine provides good protection against COVID-19, but it does not remove the risk of contracting and transmitting the disease completely. 

The virus is transmitted efficiently in social situations. Each of us can do our part to slow down the spread of coronavirus. 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 to prevent the spread of the virus.

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 (in Finnish and Swedish) 
• The COVID-19 epidemic: regional situation, recommendations and restrictions
• Coronavirus in numbers (Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa)
• 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) 
• Effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on wellbeing, services and the economy (in Finnish) 
• Progress with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations (in Finnish and Swedish)
• 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

Inquiries

Mika Salminen (epidemiological situation)
Director
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
[email protected]

Simopekka Vänskä (projection models)
Senior Researcher
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
[email protected]

Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki (situational picture and modelling group)
Strategic Director
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
[email protected]

Pasi Pohjola (situational picture and modelling group)
Director
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
[email protected]