At its weekly Covid press conference, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reviewed the main points and numbers of the corona situation in Finland. In this article, we will summarize the highlights of this morning’s press conference.
The agency has later held a separate briefing on Thursdays focusing on booster vaccinations and vaccination for children aged 5-11.
82% of the population is fully vaccinated
According to THL, the vaccination coverage of people over 12 years of age in Finland is 82 per cent. Currently, the third dose, also known as a booster dose, has been given to 5.6 percent of the total population.
Infections in children have increased
The incidence of children under the age of 12 has risen to 28 percent, says THL. About 15 percent of all coronavirus infections detected in Finland during the entire pandemic have been reported in children under 12 years of age.
According to the THL chief physician Otto Helvehowever, cases are less common among children than among adults. A senior doctor said schools should focus on measures such as testing and quarantine, adding that infections in children can best be prevented by controlling adult infections.
ICU mortality fell to 18 percent
The mortality rate of approximately 1,200 patients treated in intensive care since the beginning of the pandemic is currently estimated at 18%. In March, the corresponding figure was 21 percent. The majority of patients who end up in intensive care are aged 50-70 years. Currently, about 53 Covid patients are in intensive care in Finnish hospitals.
Åland and Central Finland are entering the community mediation phase
The provinces of Åland and Central Finland have now been added to the list list areas classified as ‘Community outbreaks’ of the epidemic. About eight regions have a positivity rate of less than 4 percent, while some of the busiest epidemic regions have a test positivity rate of 10 percent.
Source: The Nordic Page