The coronavirus situation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is clearly calming as incidence rates and positive test samples are on the decline, according to the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District's Chief Physician Markku Mäkijärvi.
"In the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, the incidence of the virus is approaching 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last two weeks," Mäkijärvi said, adding that the proportion of positive samples from coronavirus tests in the HUS area has dropped to one percent.
The region is currently considered to be in the community transmission phase of the epidemic, but Mäkijärvi believes some areas of the capital region could be reclassified as being in the accelerating phase by mid-June.
"It's possible that this will happen even faster. The epidemic situation will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis," he said.
If the trend continues, restrictions in the Helsinki region could be further relaxed ahead of traditional midsummer celebrations. According to Mäkijärvi, the easing of coronavirus restrictions is unlikely to cause a new spike in infections.
"This [spike] could possibly happen in theory, but if we have interpreted the situation and the trend of the epidemic correctly, then the risk is reduced," Mäkijärvi said, adding that compliance with hygiene guidelines, testing and taking both doses of vaccine are still central to controlling the epidemic.
The eastern and western ends of Uusimaa are currently in the so-called acceleration phase, or in the second of Finland's three-tier phase of the epidemic. Mäkijärvi said that case numbers measured in the metropolitan area largely determined the region's overall
Kanta-Häme situation continues
New cases of Covid-19 continue to be diagnosed in the Kanta-Häme region, according to the region's hospital district.
As of Sunday the region — also referred to as Tavastia Proper and home to around 171,000 residents — had an overall total of 2,011 confirmed coronavirus cases. The region also recorded four new Covid-related fatalities in recent days.
Last week it was reported that a recent outbreak at the region's main hospital was caused by the coronavirus variant first detected in India. So far, 15 fatalities have been linked to the outbreak. Meanwhile, the overall Covid death toll in the region was 35 as of Monday.
On Saturday, 14 new cases were recorded across Kanta-Häme, 13 of which were found in the Hämeenlinna area and one in Riihimäki. The previous day 17 cases were reported in the region.
As of Sunday, Kanta-Häme Central Hospital was treating 17 patients for coronavirus infections, two of whom were receiving intensive care. Meanwhile, eight other Covid patients in the region were being treated elsewhere.