According to the latest figures from the Health Agency THL and the Ministry of Health, the number of young people infected with the coronavirus has increased significantly in the last two weeks, especially in the 18-21 age group. .
THL has registered a total of 2,895 coronavirus infections in all age groups in the last seven days, nearly 30 percent more than in the previous week. This is the fifth consecutive week that the number of infections has increased and the total daily numbers are similar to the figures reported in February, just before the Finnish government announced the partial closure.
The number of infections in Finland in the last two weeks is now 93 infections per 100,000 people, which is a significant number from 54 compared to the previous 14 days.
As elsewhere in Europe, infections spread rapidly among younger age groups, the THL noted, as more than half of last weekโs infections were diagnosed in 15-29 year olds. In this category, the highest number of infections was reported in the 18โ21-year-old population.
Last week, 116,000 Finns took the coronavirus test, and 2.5 percent of the samples were positive. This is about a percentage point more than at the end of June.
The increase in infections has also led to the transition of six regions across Finland from the basic phase of the pandemic to the acceleration phase, including the hospital districts of Kanta-Hรคme, Satakunta, North Karelia, North Savo and Central Finland, and the HUS region of Western Uusimaa.
Hospitalizations are still relatively low
However, the rapid increase in the number of cases has not led to a significant increase in the number of people in need of hospitalization, and THL has noted that hospitalizations have remained relatively low.
Most of the recent hospitalizations are now among young and unvaccinated people, the agency said.
On Thursday, 57 people were treated at the hospital across Finland, six of whom were in intensive care, but THL predicted that this number is likely to rise.
The agency also noted that Finland’s vaccination program is progressing steadily: 65 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine by Thursday morning, and nearly a third have received both doses. The effectiveness of the vaccination is obvious, the THL added, as very few elderly people have become infected with the virus since the spring.
Health authorities also stressed the importance of following vaccinations and continuing to use the mask, keeping a safe distance from others and other protective measures.
The State Department also recommends avoiding all travel to Brazil, South Africa, India and Russia, and THL adds that caution must be exercised elsewhere, including in Europe.
Source: The Nordic Page