Number of COVID-19 cases remains high although growth rate of new infections has stabilised
The number of new COVID-19 cases has remained at almost the same level as the week before. The total number of new cases reported between 9th and 15th August was 5,163, whereas in the previous week the number of new cases was 5,072. Currently, COVID-19 is spreading especially among unvaccinated young people and young adults.
Out of about 142,000 COVID-19 tests administered in Finland last week, the proportion of positive samples was 3.6 %. The incidence of new COVID-19 cases in the last two-week period (2th–15th August) was 185 per 100,000 inhabitants, and the effective basic reproduction number is currently 1.05–1.25, with a 90 % probability. Last week, the proportion of infections from abroad was around 9 %.
The source of infection was traced successfully in 52 % of all new cases in Finland. The backlogs in contact tracing reflect the increase in the number of infections and a shortage of personnel available for tracing. It is not always possible to receive all necessary information from infected and exposed persons about other potentially exposed persons.
Between 9th and 15th August, a total of 12,108 people were quarantined, which is over 2,200 people more than in the preceding week. About one fourth (24 %) of all new cases were reported among people already in quarantine. Some regions have reported backlogs in contact tracing and delays in placing people in isolation and quarantine. There is also a lot of regional variation in how well contacts are traced.
Burden on specialised medical care increased slightly
Based on the information provided by the hospital districts, a total of 106 people were receiving hospital care due to the COVID-19 disease on 18th August 2021. Of them, 12 were inpatients in primary healthcare, 65 inpatients in specialised healthcare and 29 inpatients in intensive care. On 18th August 2021, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the epidemic was 1,008.
The overall burden on specialised healthcare has increased slightly. The need for intensive care in particular has increased over the past few weeks due to the growing number of infections. The majority of those in need of hospital care are unvaccinated.
In Finland, around 69 % of the population have received at least their first vaccine dose and about 44 % of the population have received a full COVID-19 vaccine course, i.e. they have received the second vaccine dose. The vaccination of 12–15-year-olds, which started earlier in August, is progressing at pace. About 24 % of those belonging to this age group have already received their first vaccine dose.
The epidemiological situation is monitored weekly. 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 (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:
Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki
Director of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
[email protected]
Otto Helve
Head of Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
[email protected]
