Officials were pleased when the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) held their weekly coronavirus briefings on Thursday morning.
The participants were Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director of Strategic Affairs of the Ministry, Pasi Pohjola, Deputy Director General of the Ministry and Medical Specialist of THL Otto Helve.
According to Helve, the incidence rate has dropped from 53 to 40 per 100,000 people in the previous two weeks. The number of cases has decreased in all age groups, especially among young people.
Infection rates have also decreased in all hospital districts except Kanta-Häme, which includes the city of Hämeenlinna.
In the former Central Ostrobothnia hotspot, to which Kokkola belongs, the incidence rate has dropped to 117.
The prevalence in Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), which had the highest level of infection for a long time, is now 67.
According to Voipio-Pulkk, the situation is now comparable to the end of September 2020 – well before the second wave in early December and the third in late February and March.
Nearly 10% fully vaccinated: “Impressive figures”
At least the first dose of the vaccine has now been given to 54% of those aged 16 and over.
Overall, 45.7 percent of the population has received at least one ill, while 9.9 percent have been fully vaccinated.
"These figures are quite impressive. An excellent vaccination campaign is under way in Finland," Voipio-Pulkki said.
THL reported 143 new cases on Wednesday. The death toll was 959.
Source: The Nordic Page