“You could say we’re on the knife blade,” he characterizes Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. “The next week or two will determine the direction we’re going.”
Taneli PuumalainenThe chief of THL’s infectious disease control added that the death toll from the virus has risen sharply in recent weeks.
“This is because outbreaks have been observed in nursing homes in areas of several hospital districts. The situation is similar to what we were last spring in this regard, but fortunately it is not that difficult, ”he noted.
According to Puumalainen, the same phenomenon is the reason for the increase in demand for hospital care. Overall, however, the serious situation and the potential for the disease to spread through mass events continue to affect the entire country.
– It is often thought that the coronavirus is a problem for Uusimaa. But that is not the case, ”he said.
THL announced on Thursday that the virus has claimed the lives of 442 people in Finland, which means nine increases compared to Wednesday. The number of patients in hospital increased by 13 to 219, while the number of patients in intensive care decreased by two to 25.
The prevalence of the virus is currently just over 100 / 100,000 inhabitants in Finland, which is about a third of the European average.
“Our situation is alarming, but still pretty good compared to Europe,” Puumalainen said.
Both the THL and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health stressed that compliance with effective and proactive restrictions is necessary to slow the spread of the virus. No further restrictions were announced yesterday as officials continue to monitor the effects of the restrictions tightened at the end of November.
“Maybe we can say which direction we’re going in a week,” he said Mika Salminen, Director of Health Security, THL.
Voipio-Pulkki estimates that the daily choices and actions of citizens are even more important to slow down the epidemic than restrictions. “Everyone’s daily behavior is the deciding factor,” he said.
THL on Wednesday stated that people should celebrate the holidays only with the smallest possible group of close friends and family and turn to alternative methods of communication to meet and meet relatives. People should also observe good hygiene and social distance in necessary meetings and try to avoid crowds when buying Christmas.
“If you have symptoms, you need to be tested,” Puumalainen emphasized. “Quarantining Christmas is not a very bad thing. It’s much better than being insecure when visiting relatives and spreading the disease. “
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page