Thursday 20 May 2021

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

The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (3–16 May) is 9.4 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (10–16 May) is 3.4 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.

The people of Lapland have been exemplary in their actions to prevent the spreading of the epidemic throughout the pandemic – together we can safeguard our future by ensuring as many people as possible take the vaccine in all age groups

During this week, one (1) case of the coronavirus has been confirmed. This infection was confirmed in Salla and the infection originally came from outside the hospital district.  Last week (week no. 19, 10–16 May), a total of four (4) coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 2,812 coronavirus tests were taken in the area, of which 2,697 were rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was 0.14 percent.

The Lapland Hospital District has succeeded in preventing the coronavirus epidemic throughout the pandemic. The people, companies and organisations have been exemplary in following the coronavirus prevention instructions, such as using face masks and maintaining safe distances from others. Indeed, one of the strengths of the Laplanders is action based on fact and true information. Thanks to this exemplary behaviour, society has primarily been able to operate in the area without any strict lockdowns.

From now on, it is very important that we manage to achieve very high vaccination coverage throughout the population of Lapland. At the moment, vaccinations have progressed well and the vaccination coverage of the age groups who have already received the vaccine is high, reaching nearly 90 percent. It is very important that the vaccination coverage reaches very high levels in all age groups, which will mean that there will be significantly less serious illnesses and hospitalisations due to coronavirus infections. Once we have achieved a high vaccination coverage, we can safeguard the full opening of society and have a significant impact on getting life back to normal as soon as possible.

Vaccination coverage in the Lapland Hospital District on 17 May 2021: Of the population of the Lapland Hospital District, 36 percent of the population have received the first dose of the vaccine and 8.9 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine. Of the total population of Finland, 37.9 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 5.1 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine.

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

Week no. 18 (3–9 May): Seven (7) cases

Week no. 19 (10–16 May): Four (4) cases

Week no. 20 (current week): One (1) case (as of 20 May at 12:45)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 790. This figure also includes persons living outside the area.

Infection Control Unit

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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District

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

Regional Pandemic Working Group: the transition to the baseline level is not that far away

The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group has assessed the epidemic situation in the area. It is pleasing to note that the incidence rate based on the last two weeks has dropped. During week number 18 (3–9 May) the incidence rate was 80 per 100,000 inhabitants, in week 19 (10–16 May) the incidence rate was 50 per 100,000 inhabitants, and now the incidence rate is 21.8 per 100,000 inhabitants (19 May 2021). In the Norrbotten County of Sweden, a total of 1,016 coronavirus infections were reported last week and the incidence rate is approximately 800 per 100,000 inhabitants. Mainly due to the high coronavirus figures in Sweden, it is the opinion of the working group that the criteria for the baseline phase have yet to be met, which means that the area will continue to be in the acceleration phase of the epidemic for the following week.

During week no. 19 (10–16 May), 11 new cases were confirmed. This week, two (2) new cases have been confirmed. Both infections were reported in Kemi and the cases are not related and do not relate to earlier chains of infections.

The drop in the incidence rate facilitates the slow and gradual lifting of restrictions in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The lifting of restrictions does not mean that the epidemic has disappeared, rather all the currently valid restrictions and coronavirus safety instructions should continue to be strictly followed. There is still a risk that the situation could rapidly worsen, which is something we need to all be aware of.

MeXIT – Sea Lapland’s Exit plan

In its meeting, the Pandemic Working Group discussed the MeXIT plan, whereby the restrictions on public gatherings will be lifted in two-week steps starting on 24 May. The development of the epidemic situation naturally determines whether we can speed up the lifting of restrictions, or indeed if we have to take things a little slower. The aim of the Pandemic Working Group is the controlled lifting of restrictions that would allow the planned summer holiday events for the area to be organised.

Starting on 24 May 2021, the recommended restriction for the maximum number of people at a gathering is eased to ten (10) persons. The current coronavirus restrictions and recommendations are valid through to 06 June 2021. The next time for revision of the restrictions and recommendations is scheduled for the next meeting of the Regional Pandemic Working Group on 26 May 2021.

On the basis of a decision issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency of Lapland, all public events and meetings with more than ten people are banned in the Länsi-Pohja area through to 06 June 2021. More information available at www.avi.fi.

All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed here and on the Hospital District website.

Vaccinations continue in municipalities as more vaccines are received. 36% of people to be vaccinated in Sea Lapland have received the vaccine, whereas the average for elsewhere in Finland is 38%. Approximately 42% of the population of Norrbotten have been vaccinated.

The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group

For further information please contact: Medical Director Jyri J. Taskila, tel. 040 352 1097

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

Week no. 18 (3–9 May): 13 cases

Week no. 19 (10–16 May): 11 cases

Week no. 20 (current week): Two (2) cases (as of 20 May at 9:37)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 683.

Infection Control Unit