Overview by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare: The epidemic has slowed sharply in Finland

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare have published an overview of the current COVID-19 situation for use by the Government and parliamentary parties. The overview was drafted on 22 April.

According to the overview, the epidemic has slowed sharply in Finland and the spread of the epidemic is slower than in the neighbouring countries. Such a sharp slowdown significantly prolongs the duration of the epidemic and may, if it continues for a long time, pose a risk of a later major epidemic.

The public health service is coping well. Because of the containment measures, the health service is not being overburdened, and a sufficient number of intensive care unit beds has been continuously available. The strain has followed the predictions based on the modelling put forward by the National Institute for Health and Welfare, or even fallen below them.

Case mortality is low among those under 50 years of age. Compared to the neighbouring countries, the coronavirus mortality rate among older people is clearly lower in Finland.

The current situation makes it possible to discuss a partial lifting of the restrictive measures. However, the restrictions must be dismantled in a gradual manner, carefully controlling the ensuing effects. If the epidemic begins to spread too fast, we must have the readiness to react quickly. Increased testing and tracing is a way of limiting the epidemic, but it is unlikely to suffice alone.

• COVID-19 overview, 22 April 2020 (n Finnish)

Inquiries:

Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, Director of Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected]
Mika Salminen, Director, National Institute for Health and Welfare, [email protected]
Professor Matti Reinikainen, University of Eastern Finland, [email protected] (state of intensive care)