Finland: COVID-19 cases fallen for more than a month, risk of spread in schools is small

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By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews 

Health officials in Finland report based on the epidemiological, medical and functional indicators, the COVID-19 epidemic has continued to slow compared to the previous two weeks. The weekly average of cases reported to the communicable diseases register has clearly fallen for more than a month.

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Image by Pexels from Pixabay

The incidence of new cases has also declined in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa and the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District. Furthermore, the number of patients in hospital and intensive care continues to decrease. The basic reproduction number of the virus remains low.

The restrictions will be eased in a careful and gradual manner. However, the epidemic may accelerate again if we do not follow the instructions on good hand and cough hygiene and maintain a safe distance from other people.

Concerning the risk of the coronavirus spreading in schools, medical adviser Otto Helve said, “When investigating chains of transmission, it has been found that children clearly are infected less often than adults, and chains of transmission have rarely started with a child. In light of this information, the risk of large-scale spread of the coronavirus in contact teaching is low. However, it is likely that some coronavirus infections will be diagnosed among those in contact teaching.”

If an infection is detected in a pupil in contact teaching or a member of the school’s staff, the school will aim to contain the infection and stop the spread of the virus by quarantining exposed teachers and pupils and testing all those that get symptoms.

To prevent infection, it is important thatc everyone practices good hand hygiene and safe distances, that the pupils do not go to school if they have symptoms and that students and staff members get tested for corona if they have any symptoms.

To date, Finland has reported 6599 COVID-19 cases, including 308 deaths.