Finland reports many new COVID-19 cases are among socially active young adults, Most new cases caused by Delta variant

Finland health officials report a total of 1,651 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 5 and 11 July. The number of cases has been increasing for the past three weeks. About 540 new cases were reported in the middle of June (14–20 June), after which the number of cases has approximately tripled.

The COVID-19 epidemic is now spreading among socially active young adults, for example at bars, restaurants and social events. As in the previous weeks, the highest number of infections was reported among 20–29-year-olds, who accounted for one third of all infections between 5 and 11 July. People aged 10–19 accounted for 25 per cent of all new cases, with most of these cases reported among people who had reached the age of 18.

Currently, the estimated effective basic reproduction number is 1.0–1.25, with a 90 per cent probability. The rise in the number of infections among young adults between 5 and 11 July has led to an increase in the estimated basic reproduction number.

The percentage of cases where the virus was contracted abroad has halved compared to the previous week. In Finland, 12 per cent of the cases reported between 5 and 11 July originated from abroad, and the further infections resulting from them accounted for 3 per cent of all cases.

About 94,200 COVID-19 tests were taken between 5 and 11 July. The percentage of positive COVID-19 cases of all samples taken was 1.8 per cent between 5 and 11 July. This figure has tripled since mid-June when it was 0.6 per cent.

In Finland, the infections caused by the Delta variant account for over 80 per cent of the positive test results that are analysed further. The COVID-19 variant is determined in about one in five positive samples. The fact that in recent weeks Euro 2020 football fans returning from Russia have accounted for a large percentage of genotyped samples may lead us to overestimate the percentage of cases caused by the Delta variant to some extent. The Delta variant was identified in about 90 per cent of the samples taken from people who had tested positive for COVID-19 at the eastern border or who had had contacts with someone based in or recently coming from Russia.

The number of patients in hospital care has remained stable despite the growing number of new cases.

Argentina COVID-19 deaths top 100K, More Delta variant cases reported in travelers

Argentina COVID-19 death toll

Earlier this week, Argentina hit a tragic milestone that only three other South American countries have reached–topping more than 100,000 deaths linked to COVID-19. Brazil, Peru and Colombia have already eclipsed the 100,000 death mark.

This occurred on Wednesday and as of this report, 100,695 deaths have been recorded.

On Wednesday, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne said while “COVID infections, hospitalizations and deaths are dropping across most of the continent, including in Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile, cases are rising in Argentina.”

As of this publication, Argentina has reported 4,719,952 total COVID-19 cases have been reported, the eighth highest total in the world.

The Ministry of Health confirms more Delta variants in travelers

The Ministry of Health of the Nation confirmed Monday another nine positive cases of Delta variant in travelers from the United States, Mexico and Paraguay.

So far, Argentina has not confirmed cases with a Delta variant in people without a history of traveling abroad or related to an international traveler.

Of the new cases detected, six are residents of the City of Buenos Aires and three from the province of Buenos Aires. After their arrival in the country, they carried out isolations in hotels in the CABA and homes, according to national regulations and in accordance with the provisions of the jurisdictions.

It should be noted that in three of the cases they are adults who were vaccinated during their stay in Miami, United States.

The Ministry of Health recommends that the population:

● Postpone travel
● Keep land borders closed
● Prohibition of entry of non-resident foreigners in the country
● Requirement of a negative molecular biology test with a maximum notice of 72 hours. prior to the trip and a test upon entry to the country for people entering by international flights through the authorized airports (Ezeiza, Aeroparque and San Fernando) and the Buenos Aires Port terminal.
● Those with a positive antigen test upon arrival in the country, should perform isolation in specific hotels in the City of Buenos Aires.
● Obligation to keep isolation for all international travelers for a term of 7 days after entry (according to the indications of each jurisdiction)
● Obligation to carry out a molecular test on the seventh day of admission.