The Finnish government approved a new Covid hybrid strategy on Monday which hinges on at least 80 percent of the population being fully vaccinated against the disease, Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said.
"We will open society and keep it open," Marin told reporters on the steps of the House of Estates in Helsinki at about 5pm on Monday.
Read the full story here.
6.9 12:10 THL: 408 new cases on Monday, 8 new deaths
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 408 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections in Finland over the past 24 hours on Monday.
As of Monday there were 101 people in Finland receiving hospital treatment for Covid, 20 of whom were in intensive care units.
An additional eight people died of Covid-19 related complications since Friday, bringing Finland's pandemic death toll to 1,039, THL reported.
6.9 11:32 Finnish photojournalist says Finland ‘sanitised’ Covid reality
International media has shown Covid suffering, but this has been largely absent in Finland, according to New York Times photo editor Mikko Takkunen.
"The photos [from Finland] have been more sanitised. The pictures coming out of Finland to the rest of the world have been of concrete boulders during the Uusimaa lockdown or neat lines of people awaiting vaccination," Takkunen said.
More on this story here.
6.9 10:00 Vaccine certs for kids
Our Monday morning paper roundup looks at the difficulty parents face in accessing their tweens' Covid vaccination certificates ahead of autumn holidays, among other topics.
More here.
5.9 17:56 Two-metre rule to be dropped
Later on Sunday, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said that the government had proposed to Parliament that the two-metre requirement be dropped.
The government proposed to amend part of the Communicable Diseases Act that covers the conditions for the use of facilities for customers and participants to prevent the spread of the virus.
In future, close contact is to be defined by regional government agencies or municipalities on a case-by-case basis.
More details here.
5.9 17:21 PM: Return to normal possible in October, Covid passport to Parliament soon
According to Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), the government plans to release its new hybrid coronavirus strategy on Monday.
Speaking during the traditional Prime Minister's interview hour on Yle Radio Suomi on Sunday afternoon, Marin said the cabinet would meet in an unusual Sunday session to agree on issues such as the removing the requirement for two-metre social distancing in public.
She said that the goal is to get rid of all restrictions once vaccine coverage is high enough, i.e. more than 80 percent of the population over age 12, which could come next month.
Full story here.
5.9 12:26 Infection figures fluctuate due to technical problems
On Sunday the THL Institute for Health and Welfare said that 910 new Covid infections had been diagnosed in Finland. On Saturday the THL's communications department said that a low number of infections reported then, 87, was incorrect.
It told the Finnish News Agency STT that the figure was erroneous and that the technical issue would likely be fixed with Sunday's infection rate update.
Saturday's 87 would have been the lowest daily figure since mid-June, and far below recent weeks' average of 500-700 a day.
The two numbers together give a daily average of just under 500, slightly lower than the average so far in September.
Similar anomalies occurred on weekends in June and August.
You can read more here.
4.9 14:36 Restrictions on gatherings relaxed in Uusimaa
Restrictions on gatherings throughout Uusimaa have been relaxed as of Saturday.
According to the Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency (or Avi), the two-metre social distancing requirement and the block division requirement for venues in the Helsinki region have been waived. Up to 50 percent capacity may be allowed in for indoor events.
The decision was based on an assessment led by the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).
The pandemic is still straining the healthcare system in Uusimaa, largely because of expanded testing and tracing. However, the number of patients in hospital, including intensive care units, has not changed much since last spring. On Friday there were 91 patients in hospital nationwide, 21 of them in ICU's.
As of Saturday, more than 72 percent of the population had received at least one dose of vaccine, with 52 and a half percent fully inoculated.
More details here.
4.9 12:58 THL reports error in infection figure
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) website said that 87 new Covid infections had been diagnosed in Finland.
However the THL's communications department told the Finnish News Agency STT that the low number of reported infections was erroneous.
That would have been the lowest daily figure since mid-June, and far below recent weeks' average of 500-700 a day.
According to THL, the issue is likely to be fixed with Sunday's infection rate update.
On the first Saturday of August, the THL also reported an improbably low infection rate, but corrected the whole weekend tally on Monday.
The THL noted in a tweet on Saturday that its technical support staff now only works on weekdays, when any reporting errors would be corrected.
4.9 11:56 Covid pass tests likely to be carried out by private sector
If the proposed coronavirus passport is implemented, testing for it would be done through private healthcare at each user's expense, according to Mika Salminen, Director of Health Security at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The government has promised decisions on its new Covid strategy on Monday. This may include the introduction of a coronavirus passport similar to those in use in Denmark and elsewhere.
You can read more here.
3.9 12:04 THL: 561 new cases, 1 additional death on Friday
Health institute THL reported 561 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing Finland's overall total to 129,105.
Most of Friday's cases (348) were recorded in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
The institute also reported one Covid-related fatality, bringing the country's epidemic death toll to 1,031.
As of Friday there were 91 people receiving hospital treatment for Covid in Finland, 21 of whom were in intensive care.
2.9 18:31 PM: Updated Covid strategy likely on Monday
Finland's updated coronavirus strategy is due to be approved on Monday, Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said after government talks in Helsinki on Thursday.
According to Marin, the current estimate is that sufficient vaccine coverage will be achieved in October, when restrictions could be more widely lifted.
Read more here.
2.9 14:06 THL, health ministry: 80% coverage by October, shorter dose interval, face masks stay
Finland could reach a vaccination rate of 80 percent by October, especially if dose intervals are shortened from eight to six weeks in line with the updated guidance issued by the health institute THL. This is according to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which gave a weekly coronavirus press briefing on Thursday morning.
During the briefing the health agency added that the mask recommendation will remain for the time being. According to THL's Otto Helve, the country's current epidemic situation does not allow for the lifting of the simpler pandemic control measures such as the use of face masks. Health authorities will however be discussing whether to lift the mask rule again in the coming days.
2.9 13:43 Government meets to discuss easing restrictions, Covid pass
Finland's government ministers are meeting at the House of the Estates in Helsinki on Thursday afternoon to discuss the coronavirus situation and how society might return to post-pandemic normality.
One measure that looks likely to change is the two-metre social distancing requirement, which Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said earlier this week the parties had agreed to remove from the Communicable Disease Act. The proposal will be put forward to Parliament at the earliest opportunity, Yle's sources said.
Justice Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson (SPP) told reporters as she arrived at the meeting that the introduction of a Covid pass would also be discussed at Thursday's meeting.
The pass, similar to those in use in other European countries, could enable the organising of large events and festivals again.
2.9 12:15 THL proposes third dose of vaccine for risk groups
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has recommended that a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine be offered to vulnerable and risk groups.
Although the final decision lies with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the health agency recommended that the third dose be given to all people over the age of 12 years whose immune system is reduced due to an underlying health condition.
A group of between 50,000 and 100,000 people would initially qualify for the third dose with the agency saying that it will provide a more specified description of who belongs to the 'immunocompromised group' in the coming weeks.
Read more on this story here.
2.9 12:00 Finland records 694 cases on Thursday
The coronavirus epidemic has stagnated in Finland with Thursday recording some 694 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Speaking at a weekly coronavirus press briefing, THL chief physician Otto Helve said that the proportion of new infections among young adults was still high adding that Finland conducted a record amount of coronavirus of tests last week; over 172,000.
2.9 9:30 HS Poll: Vaccinations become bone to pick at workplace
Finnish law prevents employers from demanding that workers get or do not get vaccinated. However, colleagues will often inquire about each other's vaccination status during conversations at the coffee room, a poll conducted by daily paper Helsingin Sanomat (HS) has found.
Most of HS' survey respondents said there had been no major flashpoints in the work community regarding vaccinations, however part of respondents said they had felt pressure to get the jab in fear of changes in their work description.
Read more on this story in this morning's paper round-up.
1.9 17:51 Nasal spray vaccine protects against viral variants, developers say
The composition of a coronavirus nasal spray vaccine developed in Finland has been modified over the summer to provide better protection against common viral variants, according to the spray's designers.
The nasal spray vaccine is based on research carried out at the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland, and has so far received "significant" funding of about 9 million euros after initially struggling to attract investors.
Read more here.
1.9 16:15 Half of Finland’s population now fully vaccinated
A total of 2.7 million people in Finland have now received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest figures from health authority THL.
_Check Yle's dashboard for all the latest Covid data._
1.9 16:09 Hundreds file Covid vaccine side effect claims
Some 400 people in Finland have so far filed claims for damages related to experiencing adverse effects from a coronavirus vaccine.
Under Finnish law, people can apply for monetary compensation for side effects caused by medicines or vaccines which have been authorised for use in Finland. The claims are handled by the Finnish Mutual Insurance Company.
Read more on this story here.
1.9 11:52 THL: 679 cases on Wednesday, 6 further deaths
Health agency THL has reported 679 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing Finland's overall total to 127,861.
The agency also registered six further deaths linked to the virus. Finland's death toll from the pandemic now stands at 1,030.
31.8 15:31 Pirkanmaa still in spreading phase, restrictions remain in place
The Pirkanmaa region's coronavirus coordination group said on Tuesday that vaccination coverage must increase before restrictions in the region can be lifted.
According to the latest vaccination figures provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL, 72 percent of the population of the region have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. This puts the region just slightly above the national vaccination average, which is at 71.8 percent as of Tuesday afternoon.
The coronavirus incidence rate in the region is currently 86 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the past two weeks, meaning the Pirkanmaa hospital district remains in the spreading phase of the government's three-tier pandemic assessment model.
31.8 11:54 Finland reports 617 infections on Tuesday
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL has reported 617 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday.
31.8 9:27 Papers: 2-metre social distancing rule set to end
Tuesday's papers report on Prime Minister Sanna Marin's (SDP) Monday evening tweet detailing how the government parties have agreed to remove the two-metre social distancing requirement from Finland's infectious diseases law.
She added that restrictions would be removed as vaccination coverage increases, as the situation is currently 'unreasonable' for those in the culture, sport and events sectors.
Read more on this story, and the rest of our Tuesday morning paper review, here.
30.8 13:35 Testing, tracing burden impacts healthcare services
The testing and tracing of Covid cases is putting increasing pressure on the Finnish public healthcare system, with many municipalities and hospital districts calling on the government to modify the current hybrid strategy aimed at tackling the latest effects of the pandemic.
Healthcare staff and resources have been drawn towards curbing the recent uptick in infections. This has led to people in many municipalities facing long delays when seeking appointments for non-Covid-related issues.
Full story here.
30.8 13:28 Restaurants struggle to repay Covid support
The Finnish state wants around 1,100 bars and restaurants to pay back Covid support. The grants aimed to offset losses that occurred when restrictions shuttered bars and eateries last spring.
Excess aid amounts mostly range between 1,000 and 10,000 euros, though the rescue programme is asking one restaurant business to pay back 200,000 euros.
Read more on this story here.
30.8 12:08 THL: 472 new cases, 5 new deaths since Friday
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported there were 472 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections in Finland over the past 24 hours on Monday.
As of Monday there were 97 people in Finland receiving hospital treatment for Covid, 20 of whom were in intensive care units.
The number of hospitalised Covid patients increased by three since Friday, while the number of people in ICU decreased by three since then.
An additional five people died of Covid-19 related complications since Friday, bringing Finland's pandemic death toll to 1,024.
29.8 13:48 Finland records 619 new cases
Public health institute THL reported 619 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday for the second day in a row.
The previous 14 days have seen 8,392 new infections, a reduction of 1,852 cases since the preceding two-week period, according to the THL.
28.8 13:55 Nearly half in Finland fully vaccinated
Some 49 percent of people eligible for Covid jabs have been fully vaccinated, the Finnish institute for health and welfare (THL) reported on Saturday.
Around 72 percent have received one vaccine dose.
More than 90 percent of people over the age of 60 were partially vaccinated as of Saturday.
28.8 13:44 Finland reports 619 new cases
Public health institute THL on Saturday recorded 619 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections, bringing the total tally to 125,474.
Most new cases (348) on Saturday were reported in the Helsinki metropolitan area, followed by the Turku region (56).
27.8 16:04 Pirkanmaa 2-metre distancing rule to end
Covid-related rules on two-metre social distancing in public places are to end in the Pirkanmaa region on Monday, according to the Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland (Avi).
Read more on this story here.
27.8 15:55 THL: Single dose of vaccine prevents death from Covid
The Institute for Health and Welfare said on Friday that a recent study showed clear evidence that people who have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine were less likely to die from complications if they contracted the disease.
The health agency said there were significantly fewer Covid-related deaths among all age groups that were even partially vaccinated, compared to unvaccinated people.
28.8 15:47 AVI: Southern Finland restrictions to remain in place
Current coronavirus-related restrictions in effect across Southern Finland will be updated, according to the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland (Avi).
Previous rules the agency issued on 20 August state that public event attendees need to be divided into separated groups of 25 people, with two-metre social distancing measures enforced.
The restrictions will continue to be in effect across the Uusimaa region โ which includes Greater Helsinki and features the largest population in the country โ until 12 September.
The Avi responsible in the region of Pirkanmaa decided to allow rules regarding two-metre distancing to expire next week.
Last week the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issued a letter of recommendation suggesting that Finland ease epidemic restrictions on low-risk events such as theatres, if two-metre distancing measures could be implemented.
However, in response, Southern Finland's regional coronavirus coordination group advised that the current restrictions were necessary and should not be reduced.
The Minister of Science and Culture, Antti Kurvinen, called the restrictions affecting the cultural sector were "unreasonable and unfair," calling for Finland to relax the current restrictions. The minister has said that he will propose that the government amends laws so that cultural events could be held.
27.8 12:21 Finland reports 570 cases on Friday
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL has reported 570 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday. The highest number of new cases, 121, were diagnosed in the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district (HUS).
The health agency also reported that there are currently 94 people being treated in hospital for the virus, 23 of whom are in intensive care.
26.8 13:35 Covid cases declining, remote working recommendation extended
On Thursday, 650 new cases were reported in Finland. The prevailing Covid infections can largely be attributed to the Delta variant, said Mika Salminen, director of the department for health security at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, THL.
Full story here.
25.8 18:28 Hospitality sector reports disappointing summer
Despite warm weather and many domestic tourists, this summer season has been disappointing for many restaurants and hotels. That is according to a membership survey published by the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa) on Wednesday.
More than 60 percent of companies that responded to the poll reported declines in turnover of at least 20 percent compared to the pre-pandemic summer of 2019. Just over 20 percent said that their turnover increased.
Details here.
25.8 17:20 Nurse still vaccine-hesitant, even after ICU stint
After getting Covid, Kuopio home care nurse Tero Nikkanen spent more than a week unconscious in intensive care with a breathing tube in his throat, but he is still concerned about side effects from a vaccine.
Read his story here.
25.8 16:25 Airport volumes still down by 80%
The number of passengers travelling through Finnish airports fell by 78.9 percent in the first half of this year compared to the January-June period of 2020, airport operator Finavia said on Wednesday. The pandemic began to affect Finland about midway through that period last year.
The declines were broadly in line with those of national flag carrier Finnair, which saw its number of passengers fall by 80 percent in the first half of this year.
Full story here.
25.8 13:50 Over 70% of population gets first jab
As of Wednesday afternoon, 70.9 percent of Finland's population had received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. Forty-seven percent had received two.
Early this year, the THL had suggested that if 70 percent of the population received at least one jab, that might be enough to reach herd immunity. However with the emergence of the more infectious Delta variant, the national health agency backtracked on that suggestion in early June.
By the end of June, 70 percent of Finland's adult population had received at least one dose, which was at the time of one of the EU's highest rates. However since Finland decided to space out the first and second doses by 12 weeks, it has lagged behind some other European countries in full vaccination.
According to the EU's European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 83.5 percent of adults in Finland have gotten a first jab, with 54.9 percent fully inoculated. The full vaccination rate is lower than, for instance, in neighbouring Estonia and the other Nordic countries besides Norway.
25.8 13:26 Finland sets up Long Covid working group
Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has established an expert group to investigate the phenomenon of Long Covid.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Krista Kiuru (SDP) said that some ten percent of those who contract Covid are likely to suffer symptoms for an extended period, defined as symptoms lasting for longer than 12 weeks.
More details here.
25.8 11:58 THL reports 574 more cases, four more deaths
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 574 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases in Finland on Wednesday.
The vast majority of the latest infections, 319, were as usual in the Helsinki-Uusimaa district. The second largest number, 71, were in Southwest Finland, including Turku.
As of Wednesday there were nearly 100 people in hospital for coronavirus-related infections, 23 of them in intensive care, that figure unchanged since Tuesday.
THL also reported four new fatalities related to Covid-19, bringing the death toll to 1,018.
24.8 17:40 New cases confirmed among quarantined berry pickers in Kajaani
Twelve migrant berry pickers who were in quarantine in the region of Kainuu have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to local health authorities.
The region reported a total of 25 new cases over the past 24 hours on Monday. With the exception of a single case diagnosed in the municipality of Sotkamo, the rest of the day's cases were seen in the region's capital town, Kajaani.
It was reported last week that more than 200 Thai berry pickers in Finland had been diagnosed with Covid since the beginning of August. The outbreaks led to Thailand demanding an explanation from Finnish authorities about the situation.
24.8 14:08 Employment rate trend returns to pre-Covid level
Finland's employment rate trend climbed to 72.7 percent in July, the highest level since February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic began to impact the Finnish economy.
The effects had led to the employment rate trend dropping to 69.7 percent in June last year, the lowest level throughout the pandemic.
Read more on this story here.
24.8 12:23 Finland reports 644 new cases
The total number of coronavirus infections diagnosed in Finland since the beginning of the pandemic has now passed 123,000, as health agency THL reported 644 new cases on Tuesday.
There have also been two further deaths linked to the virus over the past 24 hours, bringing Finland's overall tally to 1,014.
24.8 9:15 Helsinki trying Covid pass
In more Covid pass news, Helsinki says it is trying out the Covid pass. The goal is to see how the pass might be used for events and other activities. Read our story here.
24.8 9:15 Papers: What use is a Covid pass?
Iltalehti has a look at efforts in several ministries to envision what a Covid passport might look like in Finland.
The idea is that to gain entry to certain establishments, people would have to show a document proving they had been fully vaccinated or had tested negative for Covid-19 recently.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health had asked for comments on Covid passports, and so far four ministries have offered their views.
Read more on this story, and the rest of our Tuesday morning paper review, here.
23.8 15:27 Finland nears 50% fully vaccinated mark
More than 2.5 million people in Finland, or just over 46 percent of the population, have received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest figures published on Monday by health agency THL.
The agency added that over 70 percent of the population, or nearly 4 million people, have now received at least one dose.
You can find all the latest regional, national and international Covid data via Yle's dashboard here.
23.8 12:08 THL: 371 new cases on Monday
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 371 new lab-confirmed coronavirus cases in Finland over the past 24 hours on Monday.
The vast majority of Monday's cases, 243, were recorded in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
As of Monday there were 101 people receiving hospital treatment for coronavirus-related infections, 23 of whom were in intensive care.
THL also reported two new fatalities related to Covid-19, bringing Finland's overall epidemic death toll to 1,014.
22.8 16:25 Finland plans winter booster jabs
Health officials in Finland have started preparing for a Covid vaccine booster campaign this winter, though the government has yet to make a final decision on whether such doses are needed.
Should Finland decide to roll out a new mass inoculation campaign against coronavirus, the boosters would initially target vulnerable individuals.
More on this story here.
22.8 13:12 Major labour and employer confederations encourage vaccination
Finnish labour and employer confederations have issued a joint statement calling for people in the country to get vaccinated against coronavirus. They said vaccines are pivotal in the reopening of society which will in turn secure jobs.
Signatories included the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava), the STTK labour confederation, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Local Government Employers KT, Church Employers KiT and the Office for the Government as Employer (VTML).
22.8 12:40 HUS paediatrician says kids’ long Covid rare
Tea Nieminen, a paediatrician at Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), told Yle on Saturday that long-lasting Covid symptoms in children are extremely rare.
While some estimates suggest that thousands of adults in the country are suffering from long Covid symptoms, the syndrome does not appear to affect children to the same extent.
Nieminen said the Children's Hospital in Helsinki's Tรถรถlรถ district had encountered very few paediatric patients experiencing lingering Covid symptoms.
"I can count the number of cases on one hand that have been suspected as long Covid or confirmed as such. They've all been children under the age of ten," Nieminen explained.
22.8 12:20 Finland logs 503 new cases on Sunday
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 503 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Sunday.
More than half of all new cases (270) were registered in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
21.8 13:38 Minister says full reopening of Finland may require 90% vaccination cover
Family Affairs and Social Services Minister Krista Kiuru (SDP) told Helsingin Sanomat on Saturday that a surge in cases this autumn would necessitate vaccination coverage of up to 90 percent for society to completely reopen.
She said vaccine coverage in the country needs to rise in line with new infections.
More here.
21.8 12:30 Finland records 673 new cases on Saturday
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 673 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing Finland's overall tally to 121,543.
Around half of all new cases (323) were in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District.
20.8 18:31 Immigrant mental health hit by Covid
Our story takes a look at whose mental health has been hit hardest by Covid. Read more here.
20.8 17:55 Opera plan approved
The National Opera's plan to let in 300 people on Friday for a double bill performance has been approved. Read our story here.
20.8 12:20 Tampere antivaxxers target kids
Tampere health authorities have condemned anti-vaccination activists who sent disinformation to the mobile phones of children in the region. Read our story here.
20.8 11:51 THL: 684 new cases on Friday
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL has reported 684 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections on Friday. Finland's overall tally now stands at 120,870.
The health authority has recorded 9,993 infections over the past two weeks, which is 1,538 more cases than over the previous 14-day period.
There are now 99 people being treated in hospitals across Finland for the virus, 29 of whom are in intensive care.
20.8 10:28 Culture minister: ‘I’d scrap Covid restrictions’
Finland should continue to ease coronavirus restrictions to hasten the return of society back to normality, following the example set by the United Kingdom.
That's what Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen (Cen) told Yle on Friday morning.
Kurvinen also laid into anti-vaccine campaigners, saying society could not be "held hostage" by a "small, loud, tin-foil-hat-wearing and conspiracy theories-reading minority".
Read more here.
20.8 9:05 Some 0.2 percent of vaccinees reporting symptoms
While side-effects are more common with the coronavirus vaccines than with other jabs, they don't tend to be serious, an expert from Finland's medicines agency Fimea has told Swedish-language Hufvudstadsbladet.
From the roughly six million doses of Covid vaccine distributed in Finland so far, there have been around 11,000 reports of side effects after the jab. They vary from the mild to the fatal. Lifestyle factors, which can include being a heavy smoker, obesity and high blood pressure may also have been a factor in the case, according to the paper.
Read more on this story on Friday's newspaper roundup here.
19.8 15:05 Helsinki events to test use of Covid pass
Helsinki will be testing out the use of Covid passports from next Monday by organising a public event. Event participants will be asked to present their EU Covid passport document or the QR code, which can be found from the kanta.fi service.
The event will be following all existing coronavirus restrictions and will not be used to test whether other restrictions could be relaxed with the help of the Covid passport.
19.8 14:33 Pandemic pushed house buyers to suburbs
While the coronavirus pandemic has seen a rise in people moving out of cities, house prices in Finland's growth centres have continued to rise, according to Peetu Keskinen, an economist at Pellervo Economic Research (PTT).
Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Oulu are among the Finnish cities that have seen an outflow of people to their outskirts over the course of the pandemic.
Read more on this story here.
19.8 13:07 Culture minister: 2m safety distance may no longer be required
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health plans to waive the requirement for event organisers to ensure participants maintain a distance of two metres from each other, according to a tweet by Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen.
"The rationalisation of restrictions in the cultural and events field is finally progressing," the minister wrote, citing updated health ministry guidelines. "The 2m safety distance requirement and impossible blocks [referring to clearly-designated zones between audience members] will be waived. The goal initially is to enable the holding of safe events."
Regional State Administrative Agencies (Avi's) will be required to take the ministry's guidance into consideration when making decisions on the holding of large public events. However, the ministry's guidance is not binding, meaning that the regional agencies may decide not to waive the restrictions.
"However, the work has not yet been completed. Next, we will need to quickly prepare the Covid pass as well as take a view on when restrictions can be lifted completely in Finland," the minister added.
19.8 12:03 THL: Infections rising among 10-19-year-olds
The number of young people aged 10-19 testing positive for coronavirus has increased over the past few weeks, health agency THL revealed at the weekly Covid press briefing on Thursday morning. The agency added that the spread is being caused by the Delta virus variant.
However, Chief Physician Otto Helve also noted that the vaccination of the 12-15-year-old age group has "progressed rapidly" since the rollout began at the beginning of this month, with over 60,000 first doses now administered to the age category.
19.8 11:34 Finland reports 865 new cases on Thursday
Health agency THL has reported 865 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing Finland's total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 119,320.
19.8 9:00 Tampere Covid drug trial
A Tampere University Hospital (TAYS) patient was the first in the world to enter the second stage of trials of new coronavirus treatments.
The trials, set up by the World Health Organisation, will see Finnish hospitals investigate two drugs commonly used to treat leukaemia and rheumatoid arthritis, but could also help Covid patients.
Read more on this and other stories in our roundup of the day's papers here.
18.8 14:25 Thailand wants Finland to explain berry pickers’ Covid outbreaks
Thailand is demanding an explanation from Finnish authorities regarding a series of Covid outbreaks among Thai nationals working as berry pickers in Finland this summer.
More than 200 of the workers have been diagnosed with Covid since the beginning of August.
Read more here.
18.8 13:31 Orpo: Pharmacies should carry out Covid tests
The opposition National Coalition Party (NCP) has proposed to the government that pharmacies be asked to perform coronavirus tests. Party chair Petteri Orpo says this would allow more testing sites and lower test prices as supply increases.
He raised the issue at the beginning of a meeting of NCP leaders in Seinรคjoki, western Finland, on Wednesday.
According to Orpo, the spread of the virus has been effectively prevented elsewhere in Europe by extensive testing. He noted that recent test results would be part of any workable coronavirus passport.
In Orpo's opinion, it would be wise for the government to consider adding such tests to pharmacies' normal services.
18.8 12:38 One fifth of 12-15 year-olds get first dose
Some 50,000 of Finland's roughly 250,000 youngsters in the 12-15 year-old age group had received one shot of a coronavirus vaccine by Tuesday, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The THL has outlined that young teens can decide whether or not to get the jab.
Teens talking to Yle said their friends' opinions weighed the most in their decision to get vaccinated against coronavirus.
More on this story here.
18.8 11:58 Finland records 673 new infections and two more deaths
Finland's institute for health and welfare (THL) on Wednesday reported 673 new lab-confirmed infections and two Covid-related deaths in Finland.
Hospitals are currently treating 106 Covid patients, 29 of whom are in intensive care.
17.8 18:32 THL: 69% have received first jab in Finland
As of Tuesday, a total of 3,859,628 people in Finland have received at least one of two doses of a Covid vaccine, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). That figure translates to 69.0 percent of the population.
On Sunday 4,990 people received the jab, according to the institute.
Also as of Tuesday, a total of 2,377,518 residents in Finland have received both Covid jabs, or 42.8 percent of the population. That figure rose by more than ten thousand over the past day, according to the THL.
Last week, Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said that Finland's coronavirus-related restrictions could be removed once 80 to 90 percent of people over the age of 12 have been vaccinated.
17.8 15:52 National Opera defies restrictions
The Finnish National Opera intends to go ahead with its season premiere on Friday, following all coronavirus restrictions except a segmenting requirement announced last week.
Regional authorities said that any event with over 25 people must be divided into separate sections with their own entrances, services and staffing.
The Opera director says this would be impossible to implement. The opera house will allow less than one quarter of its capacity, and attendees must observe safety distances and wear masks.
Full story here.
17.8 14:05 Finland reports 655 new cases, more ICU patients
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has recorded 655 new lab-confirmed coronavirus infections. Three new coronavirus-related deaths were also confirmed on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,006.
Hospitalisations have remained close to 100, with the number of patients in intensive care rising to 31, according to the health agency.
Sixty-nine percent of the population has had at least one dose of vaccine, with nearly 43 percent fully vaccinated.
16.8 18:58 Emissions fell in nearly all municipalities
The pandemic was one of the factors that spurred a drop in emissions in 2020, along with more use of renewable energy, as well as mild weather.
Last year, municipal greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 7.4 percent from the previous year, according to the preliminary data from the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke).
You can read more details here.
16.8 14:20 Infected berry pickers moved around Finland
Berry picking companies Arctic International and Polarica have moved at least 260 foreign berry pickers from Lapland to eastern Finland even though most of them have been infected by or exposed to the coronavirus, said the Lapland Hospital District.
In Rovaniemi, up to 70 percent of foreign berry pickers have been infected with Covid-19.
Lapland's chief infectious diseases doctor says this is the worst case of non-compliance with quarantine regulations he has seen during the pandemic.
Full story here.
16.8 12:33 Helsinki authority clarifies restrictions on indoor sports
The Regional State Administrative Agency (Avi) for Southern Finland has clarified that new guidelines announced last week do not mean that sports facilities in the capital region must close their doors or that hobby activities must be suspended.
The new measures had been widely understood to mean it would be virtually impossible to pursue a wide range of hobbies and recreational activities in the region, similar to the restrictions introduced during the spring, but Avi said this is not the case.
Read more on this story here.
16.8 12:10 VR adds more than 2 dozen long-distance routes as travel increases
Finland's national rail operator VR added 26 long-distance train routes following increased passenger demand, the company announced on Monday.
Scheduled routes were increased between the cities of Helsinki and Turku, Tampere and Joensuu as well as Lappeenranta. The new scheduled departures were introduced on Monday.
In addition to the increased departures, travel times on many routes would be increasingly shorter as summer track maintenance work concludes.
VR reduced the number of scheduled routes due to plummeting demand during the coronavirus crisis, but more than one hundred of the departures have since been returned since last spring, according to the company.
16.8 12:05 Finland records 451 new cases on Monday
The Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reported 451 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hour-period on Monday.
As of Monday, a total of 107 patients were receiving hospital treatment for coronavirus-related infections according to the health agency, with 30 of the patients in intensive care units.
15.8 12:29 535 new cases, hospitalisations unchanged
On Sunday, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said that 535 new Covid-19 infections had been diagnosed at Finnish labs in the past 24 hours.
Over the past two weeks, more than 3,000 more new infections have been reported than in the previous fortnight. To date, a total of 117,531 confirmed infections have been diagnosed in Finland.
About half of the latest cases were found in the Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) district. Infections have increased in Northern Ostrobothnia, including Oulu. On the other hand, they have decreased in the southwestern Turku region.
There are 88 Covid patients in hospital, 23 of them in intensive care, both numbers unchanged from Saturday.
One more coronavirus patient has died, bringing the death toll to 1,003. A day earlier Finland surpassed the 1,000-death mark.
15.8 11:33 Sixty percent of deaths among over-80s
On Saturday Finland passed a grim milestone: more than 1,000 Covid deaths in nearly 17 months. One hundred of those have occurred over the past four months. The mortality rate has dropped significantly this year due to restrictions and vaccinations.
The youngest people to die of Covid in Finland have been in their 30s, with 60 percent over age 80.
More details here.
14.8 17:41 Education minister condemns anti-vax protests
Education Minister Li Andersson (Left) has condemned anti-vaccine protests at schools in Helsinki, after three protesters were detained by police on Friday. She also said that Covid restrictions should target adults before children, in her view.
Read our story here.
14.8 12:24 765 new cases on Saturday, deaths pass 1,000
Finland has recorded an additional 765 cases of Covid-19, according to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
That brings the total number of confirmed cases during the pandemic to 116,996. The Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital district was hardest hit by Saturday's infections, with 395 of those patients in the region.
In hospitals there are 88 Covid patients, with 23 of them in intensive care units. Four additional deaths were added to the statistics on Saturday, bringing the total to 1,002.
14.8 12:17 Rapid test demand spikes
Retailers have told the STT news agency that demand for rapid Covid tests has increased in Finland as case numbers have grown. Read our story here.
13.8 14:45 Finnair: Fabric masks no longer acceptable on flights
From next Monday, state-owned airline Finnair will demand passengers wear at least a surgical mask covering the nose and mouth when travelling.
The national carrier tweeted the announcement that fabric masks will not be acceptable, but FFP2 or FFP3 masks or other face coverings with better filtration will be allowed.
Finnair asks passengers to wear face masks at all times except when they are eating or drinking during travel.
13.8 12:43 THL: 926 new cases on Friday
There were 926 new coronavirus infections diagnosed in Finland over the past day on Friday, according to the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
According to THL data, there were around 10,000 new Covid cases diagnosed over the past two weeks, which reflects an increase of 4,000 over the previous 14 days.
On Thursday, Finland recorded the highest number of new coronavirus infections (1,024) since the beginning of the epidemic in 2020.
13.8 11:00 Covid hits 28 migrant berry pickers in Kuusamo
A total of 28 seasonal berry pickers in the Northern Ostrobothnian town of Kuusamo have tested positive for Covid-19, Mayor Jouko Manninen said.
He said that the infected individuals as well as those potentially exposed to the virus had been quarantined.
According to Manninen, the cases were not detected during routine Covid tests at the border when the workers arrived in Finland.
The berry pickers requested to get tested after experiencing mild symptoms, the mayor said.
The berry company that brought the pickers to Kuusamo is not from the area, Manninen said, adding that efforts to prevent the spread of the virus was carried out in the best possible way.
First reports about the cases in Kuusamo were issued on Thursday evening.
Earlier this summer there were other incidents of coronavirus infection chains among berry pickers in Kainuu as well as Lapland.
13.8 9:42 Experts: PM’s high vaccine goals ‘achievable’
Yle News' newspaper roundup found that with a new raft of restrictions announced for the capital region yesterday, tabloid Iltalehti wants to know when Finland will be able to open up again.
The paper reports Prime Minister Sanna Marin's (SDP) comments, made on Thursday, that restrictions could be removed once 80 to 90 percent of people over the age of 12 have been vaccinated against coronavirus.
But as the paper reports, experts Mika Rรคmet, Director of the Vaccine Research Centre, and Lasse Lehtonen, Head of Diagnostics at HUS, consider Marin's target to be achievable.
Read more about this and other stories in Friday's newspaper review.
Read previous updates here.
Source: The Nordic Page