However, the authorities may still issue both restrictions and recommendations on, for example, the use of masks and teleworking in their jurisdiction.
Liisa-Maria Voipio-PulkkiA specialist from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said the coronavirus epidemic appears to be leveling off, although a rapid turn for the better is not yet in sight. Between 7 and 13 February, the number of laboratory-confirmed infections was close to 40,000, resulting in a two-week incidence rate of 1,451 infections per 100,000 inhabitants.
He recalled that the epidemiological situation varies from region to region and that the incidence is not an accurate reflection of the actual number of infections since testing has been discontinued.
“We can’t predict terribly well at the national level what will happen in the coming weeks,” he admitted.
Setbacks, he said, are possible especially because the dismantling of various restrictions increases contact between people.
It is also unclear how many people have been infected with the virus in Finland Otto Helve, Chief Physician of the Department of Health and Welfare (THL). “The short answer is that we don’t know at this point,” he said.
In Finland, almost 88 per cent of those over 12 years of age have received the first dose of vaccine, more than 85 per cent also the second dose and 55 per cent also the third dose. However, the use of vaccines still varies considerably between hospital districts.
Demand for intensive care has fallen by about 50 percent since the beginning of the year. The number of patients in intensive care for coronavirus disease decreased by 10 to 30 between Monday and Wednesday. Although non-vaccinated are still overrepresented in hospital, the relative number of infections does not differ significantly between vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
“Vaccines provide very good protection against both serious illness and deaths associated with coronavirus disease,” Helve said.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page