Thursday 16 September 2021

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The translated version of the coronavirus review for Lapland is published once a week.
Everyone staying in Lapland must take a coronavirus test even with the slightest of symptoms that are related to the coronavirus.

Links about the current situation:

Official instructions from Lapland to travellers who suspect they may have caught the coronavirus
THL: Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
Additional guidelines, current recommendations, and restrictions for hospital districts
THL: Progress with COVID-19 vaccinations

Lapland Hospital District

(information as of 16 September at 14:00)

The Lapland Hospital District is in the baseline phase of the epidemic.

The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (30 August – 12 September) is 25.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (6–12 September) is 25.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.

This incidence rate also includes cases of patients who live outside the Lapland Hospital District area. For this reason, the figure can differ from that announced by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) that does not count those living outside of Lapland.  

In connection with the night club chains of infection occurring in Levi, the number of confirmed infections has now reached 34

There are now a total of 34 cases that, either directly or as further infections within close circles, have originated from the night clubs of Levi on the weekend of 3–5 September.

Last week (week no. 36, 6–12 September), a total of 30 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 3,614 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with 3,457 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was 0.83 percent.

Of the total population of Finland, 73.3 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 55.2 percent have received the second dose.
Of the total population of Finland, 73 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 57.4 percent have received the second dose.

The vaccination coverage was promoted through competition arranged in the Lapland Hospital District – a cash prize was to be awarded for promoting youth wellbeing for the five municipalities with the best vaccination coverage

Starting in late summer, there was a competition organised between the municipalities of the Lapland Hospital District, where five municipalities with the highest vaccination coverage of the first dose of the vaccine by 15 September will each receive EUR 1,000 to be used by the Youth Council. The vaccination coverage was examined for the population as a whole. The winning municipalities, i.e. the five municipalities with the highest vaccination coverage, are listed in order as follows: Posio (81.3%), Pello (81.0%), Salla (80.9%), Pelkosenniemi (78.6%) and Savukoski (78.5%).

“The municipalities that have achieved victory in the competition have been raising their vaccination coverage at a very high pace throughout the summer and thanks to the local residents for that achievement”, says Infectious Disease Specialist Markku Broas.

The total sum of the cash prizes came from private donations received for promoting vaccination coverage. Each Youth Council, to which the prize amount is allocated, is free to use the money for the youth activities of their choice. 

The Lapland Hospital District’s Infection Control Unit expresses its gratitude to each municipality and resident within the hospital district municipality for doing their part for improving vaccination coverage. For example, the municipalities have organised pop-up events where the vaccine can be taken without the need for making an appointment. This practice has worked well, especially among younger age groups. 

Despite the competition having come to a close, our joint fight against the coronavirus continues. The hospital district encourages all residents of Lapland to get the vaccine, as it creates safety for yourselves and others.

Further information available from:
Markku Broas
Infectious Disease Specialist
Lapland Hospital District
tel. +358 50 347 2387 

List of coronavirus exposure sites for the period 2–12 September (updated on 15 September)

• Thursday 2 September Rovaniemi International Grand Market at 3–5 p.m.
• Thursday 2 September Subway Sampokeskus, Rovaniemi at 4–4:20 p.m.
• Friday 3 September K-Supermarket Kauppatori, Rovaniemi at 7–8 p.m.
• Friday 3 September Minimani Rovaniemi at 6–7 p.m.
• Friday–Saturday 3–4 September Restaurant Narran, Levi at 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Saturday–Sunday 4–5 September Restaurant Narran, Levi from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
• Saturday 4 September Hotel Sodankylä at breakfast serving at 8–9 a.m.
• Saturday 4 September K-supermarket Levi at 4–5 p.m.
• Saturday 4 September Santasport Bowling Alley, Rovaniemi at 5:30–6:30 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday 4–5 September Hullu Poro Areena, Levi at 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
• Sunday 5 September Kätkätunturi, Kätkän Laavu lean-to, Levi at 12 noon – 1 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Levin Teboil service station from 12 noon to 1:15 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Rovaniemi International Grand Market at 1–3 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September SEO Sodankylä at 4–5 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Pihvipirtti, Levi at 6–8 p.m.
• Monday 6 September K-Supermarket Pohjantähti, Sodankylä at 9–9:45 a.m.
• Monday–Wednesday 6–8 September Ruska restaurant, Sodankylä at 10:45–11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday 7 September Levin Panimo Pub at 4–5 p.m.
• Friday 10 September Lidl Teollisuuskylä, Rovaniemi at 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Friday 10 September Gustav restaurant, Rovaniemi at 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
• Friday 10 September Kansan Pubi, Rovaniemi at 8:30–9 p.m.
• Friday 10 September Half Moon Night Club, Rovaniemi at 9 p.m. to 12 midnight
• Saturday 11 September Lidl Teollisuuskylä, Rovaniemi at 7 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
• Sunday 12 September Kotipizza Pohjolankatu, Rovaniemi at 7–7:30 p.m.

It is recommended that all visitors at the times mentioned in those locations monitor their own health and seek a COVID-19 test, even if experiencing the slightest of symptoms.

Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week

Week no. 35 (30 August – 5 September): 29 cases
Week no. 36 (6–12 September): 30 cases
Week no. 37 (current week): 25 cases (as of 16 September at 14:00)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 1,416. This figure also includes persons living outside the area.

Infection Control Unit

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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District

(information as of 15 September at 13:31)

The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is now in the baseline phase of the epidemic.

Regional Pandemic Working Group: Stay at home with influenza

During last week, 19 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District, approximately half of which were infections reported with people already in quarantine. A total of nine new coronavirus cases have confirmed so far this week. More than half of these were already in quarantine.

Although the epidemic situation has remained calm, in recent weeks patients suffering from the coronavirus have also been hospitalised in the Länsi-Pohja area. Patients who ended up in hospital care have been mainly those who have not been vaccinated.

To date, 71.7 percent of all people in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District region have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Approximately 54.8 of the population has received both doses of the vaccine. Vaccines are well available in the municipalities of the region. Municipalities inform about vaccination matters on their websites.

A person who has received both doses of the vaccine has a ten times lower risk of having to be hospitalised or taken into intensive care due to the coronavirus compared to a person who has not been vaccinated. In the case of an illness with mild symptoms, the risk ratio is about five times higher. This means that the risk of a non-vaccinated person becoming ill due to the coronavirus disease is five times higher than that of vaccinated people.

Stay at home if you experience symptoms

Yesterday, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health announced a relaxation of the criteria for the testing and tracing of coronavirus testing, for which the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is currently drawing up more detailed instructions. The Regional Pandemic Working Group would like to remind people that even mild cases of the flu should be seen through at home, and if you are symptomatic, you should not go to work, school, or engage in pastimes or hobbies. If you fall ill, it is recommended that you stay at home for two asymptomatic days following recovery.

The coronavirus recommendations currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed on the Hospital District website.

                             The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group

For further information please contact: Medical Director Jyri J. Taskila, tel. +358 40 352 1097

Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week

Week no. 35 (23–29 August): 27 cases
Week no. 36 (6–12 September): 19 cases
Week no. 37 (current week): Nine (9) cases (as of 15 September at 13:31)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 918.

Infection Control Unit