The telework recommendation will be dismantled on 28 February, based on the latest estimates from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (STM) and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
The agencies held a joint press conference on Thursday morning on the pandemic situation and the progress of the vaccination run.
The epidemic has leveled off, both authorities said, and health experts estimate that the peak of the omicron is now over. However, a clear recovery trend is not yet visible, STM’s Chief Strategy Officer Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki taken into account.
Possible setbacks are still on the cards now that society is reopening, Voipio-Pulkki added.
"There are still a lot of viruses in the Finnish population. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are still prone to serious infections. Caution must be exercised in removing restrictions," a ministry official said at a news conference.
The incidence (the number of positive results relative to the number of Covid tests performed) has remained stable between 30 and 33%, which means that blood circulation is still high.
At the same time, the need for intensive care has halved since the beginning of this year. On Wednesday morning, approximately 30 Covid patients were treated in intensive care units.
The effect enthusiasm waned
The need for Finns to take the third dose of Covid has subsided somewhat as the pandemic calms down, THL chief physician Otto Helve said at a Thursday morning news conference.
Vaccination coverage for 18-year-olds is currently 86 percent with the second dose and about 60 percent with the third dose.
Coverage varies greatly by region. The lowest third dose percentage is 57%, while the highest recorded figure is just under 70%.
"This reflects the different demographics in each hospital district. Areas with elderly citizens have higher vaccination coverage," Helve said.
Source: The Nordic Page