Omicron will probably take the prevailing alternative in Finland as well
OMICRON VARIANT the new coronavirus is likely to become the dominant variant in Finland as well, Carita Savolainen-Kopra, confirmed a leading expert from the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Thursday.
“Looking at examples from other countries, it seems quite possible and likely that the omicron will rise to power here as well,” he said. was quoted as saying At the press conference of Helsingin Sanomat.
Although the variant has been confirmed by genomic sequencing to be the cause of 34 infections, the number of suspected infections is higher. For example, in the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), the proportion of positive samples caused by omicrons has risen to 26.5 per cent.
The variant is quite clearly more contagious than the delta. As delta is still the cause of most infections, the so-called reproductive rate (R0) – the average number of people infected with the virus – is currently estimated to be around 1.0–1.1 in Finland.
– Omikron has been rated at 3-4, which would be three times more contagious, Savolainen-Kopra emphasized.
The number of coronavirus infections has continued to rise in Finland. The THL and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health reported on Thursday that 10,500 infections were diagnosed between 6 and 12 December, which is 1,000 more than between 29 November and 5 December.
The situation has deteriorated, especially in Pirkanmaa and Northern Ostrobothnia. As many as 10 percent of the tests have been positive in these areas.
However, the increase in infections has not increased the pressure on hospital resources in recent weeks. Demand for intensive care has also not risen significantly in recent weeks, although it is still very high at around 50 beds.
“This may be due in part to the fact that people who have been vaccinated twice are more eagerly tested.” Otto Helve, Chief Medical Officer of THL.
Helve also said the third round of vaccination has progressed well: about 565,000 doses have already been given – including more than 75 per cent of people who received a second dose more than six months ago.
“The pace is very brisk,” he said.
Mia Kontio THL stressed that third doses are particularly important in populations such as those over 60 years of age and those at increased risk due to illness.
“There are no signs that the threat of serious illness has increased in healthy people under the age of 60,” he said.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT