The EU is preparing to provide psychological assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Ukrainian.
The European Union Health Commissioner visited Finland on Friday Stella Kyriakides says the EU will follow closely whether the need for hospital care for the corona will increase in older age groups in the coming weeks.
The infectious Omikron variant BA.2 is now spreading at a rapid pace, with interest rates being lifted virtually across Europe.
– Last week, we saw an increase of almost ten percent in cases, mostly among those over 65, Kyriakides said at a press conference in Helsinki.
So far, hospital numbers have remained stable, but according to Kyriakides, the situation may change. Corona deaths have been declining.
According to him, the message in the situation is the same as before: the most important thing is that people get vaccinated. He congratulated Finland on its high vaccination coverage.
– However, we must not lower our protection [koronan suhteen]. It could lead to large-scale outbreaks, Kyriakides said.
According to Arnberg, there are indications that vaccines do not prevent the disease caused by BA.2 as well, but do protect against severe disease and death.
Mental health care coming to Ukraine
Minister of Family and Basic Services Who is Linden commented at the press conference that he did not believe that the corona situation would worsen significantly with the huge number of refugees coming from Ukraine to the EU.
According to Lindén, there are currently about 11,000 registered Ukrainian refugees in Finland and probably another 10,000 who have not been registered. More of them arrive every week.
Refugees are expected to increase the incidence of polio and tuberculosis in EU countries. Both Kyriakides and Lindén stressed that it is a priority to provide protection for refugees, but at the same time to take care of their health care.
According to Kyriakides, refugees are subject to routine health check-ups and are vaccinated against various diseases, especially children.
The EU is currently raising money to set up a network of skilled mental health professionals in Ukraine who could help traumatized war refugees in their mother tongue. The EU is also working to increase the provision of psychological assistance in Ukraine.
The Health Commissioner will visit the Punavuori Reception Center in Finland and the HUS Cancer Center.