The few upcoming weeks will determine the course of the pandemic. Photograph: Tony Öhberg/Finland Today

In a press conference on Thursday morning, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reports 840 new coronavirus infections in Finland.

The total is now 29,572.

This number, according to Taneli Puumalainen, chief physician of THL, includes 370 infections in 24 hours and the remaining 470 infections have been reported retrospectively between December 2 and 8 due to a technical problem.

The death toll has increased by 9 since our last report on the number of coronavirus-related deaths on Monday. The death toll is now 433.

There are 233 patients in hospital care for symptoms related to the virus (10 more than on Monday). 27 people are in intensive care. (13 fewer patients than on Monday).

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Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki, director-general of strategic affairs and chief medical officer of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, said that we are “on a razor’s edge” when it comes to the burden on the hospital system.

The need for hospital treatment for coronavirus-related symptoms has increased since last spring. In addition, the burden on intensive care units has also increased.

The upcoming few weeks will, according to Voipio-Pulkki, show in what direction the situation will develop and added that it is still possible to slow down the pandemic.

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