Covid-19 infections spike in Finland, resulting in an increase in deaths at the start of the year

On Tuesday, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) issued a news release reporting an increase in coronavirus-related mortality among the elderly in Finland between January 1 and April 30, 2022.

The primary reason for the increased mortality is Coronavirus infections. The Omicron strain rapidly spread across the population, especially afflicting the elderly and the elderly.

Boosters, on the other hand, provide significant protection against major disease and death, even in high-risk persons. The actual number of people infected with the coronavirus has not been determined. As a result, many illnesses go undiagnosed in many parts of the country due to a lack of adequate laboratory testing.

Tuija Leino, Chief Physician at THL, stated, "While there have been more deaths, we know there have been less in relation to the total number of illnesses than with previous editions." Except in the elderly, omicron-induced illness is less severe than coronavirus disease caused by other types of coronavirus.

They will not be harmed by a more severe form of the disease since they have been immunised against it. Summer and winter mortality in Finland are about identical, regardless of coronavirus presence. Influenza is a primary cause of the disease's transmission. In recent years, however, larger waves have been averted. Leino suggested that the elevated mortality rate among those who were already frail was attributable to earlier immunisation against viruses other than COVID-19.

Coronavirus infections and deaths have been decreasing for several weeks. There have been fewer deaths this month than in previous weeks. March had the highest number of reported illnesses in terms of mortality. Because coronavirus deaths are recorded up to 30 days after infection, mortality data always follows infection counts with a brief lag.

Coronavirus is more likely to kill people over the age of 80 and those with underlying medical issues than the general population. The third and fourth dosages offered adequate protection against death in 2022. Coronavirus-related illness and death are uncommon in adults aged 60 to 79.

The highest fatality rates are among people over the age of 65 who have not been immunised. This can also assist elderly people who are unvaccinated or do not have additional risk factors for developing a serious disease.

Older persons (those over the age of 80) are especially vulnerable to coronavirus death and should have the third and fourth vaccines as soon as possible.

Unvaccinated at-risk persons over the age of 80 had a greater fatality rate from coronavirus. Those in the same age group who have received four doses are well protected against serious disease and death.

"The best way to avoid coronavirus death is to acquire all available vaccines." Fourth-generation doses are recommended for adults above the age of 80, care home residents, home care recipients, and other frail elderly people. Less than half of those who have gotten a fourth dose have done so. If you've been told to get a booster shot, do it, according to Leino.

Even if a vaccination is produced, it will not prevent every death. Even if the same virus causes only minor disease in other populations, a virus infection can kill an elderly person who is already frail.

According to studies, coronavirus infection is not frequently the primary cause of death in people who died after contracting the virus, but another condition may be at work. This is especially crucial to remember if the patient was admitted to the hospital for another reason.