Thursday 26 November 2020
Lapland Hospital District’s coronavirus review
(current information as of 26 November at 12:33)
The Lapland medical district is still in the base stage of the epidemic.
There have been group exposures, but the situation is under control in respect to these
Three new cases were verified during the weekend. Two of the infections were confirmed in Rovaniemi, one of which was in Rovaniemi’s immigration detention facility. In addition, a person visiting Kittilä was found to have the coronavirus infection.
Last week, mass exposures have taken place in the Rovaniemi immigration detention facility, at the Touhula kindergarten in Korkalovaara and at Korkalovaara School. Dozens of people have been quarantined as a result of these infections.
In addition to these, exposures may have occurred on Thursday 19 November as follows. If you have spent time in these places during the times in question, observe your condition and take a coronavirus test, even if you experience the mildest of symptoms:
- Between 18:20 and 18:50 in the Subway restaurant in the Sampokeskus Shopping Centre
- Between 19:15 and 21:00 in the Vesihiisi swimming halls in Rovaniemi
If you may have been exposed, there is no need to stay in quarantine at this stage, but using a face mask and ensuring good hand hygiene is recommended.
Infections have been confirmed all around Lapland this week
14 new cases have been confirmed this week.
Infections have been detected in localities such as:
- Rovaniemi
- Muonio
- Kittilä
- Sodankylä
- Kolari
- Utsjoki
It is now very important to follow the safety instructions to keep the situation in the hospital district calm
In the hospital district, the origins of recent infections have not been possible to clarify. In this respect, it is important to take a coronavirus test even if the mildest of symptoms are experienced, and you should stay at home until you receive the test results. In this way, the risk of infection is minimised.
Although the situation in the hospital district is currently calm, it is now very important to strictly follow all safety instructions, as there are areas in the rest of the country where the situation is serious.
Safe distancing rules must be observed, and if this is not possible, face masks should be used. Other safety instructions can be found on the home page and the currently valid recommendations and limitations of the hospital district can be found here: https://koronaturvallinenlappi.fi/en/current-recommendations-and-restrictions-in-place-for-the-lapland-hospital-district/
In the Lapland Hospital District, a total of 2,832 coronavirus tests were carried out during week no. 47 (16–22 November), of which approximately 1,100 have been rapid antigen tests. The number of positive results accounted for 0.39%.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (week no. 46 and 46, 9–22 November) is 31.6/100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on the previous week (week no. 47, 16–22 November) is 9.4/100,000 inhabitants.
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Number of positive coronavirus tests in the Lapland Hospital District by week
9–15 November (week no. 46): total of 26 cases
16–22 November (week no. 47): total of 11 cases
23–29 November (week no. 48, current week): total of 14 cases (as of 26 November at 12:33)
The total number of coronavirus cases verified by the Lapland Hospital District is 319, with 30 of these cases being with patients who were not local residents.
Infection Control Unit
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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District’s coronavirus review
(current information as of 26 November at 12:13)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is still in the acceleration phase.
The increase in the number of cases is falling – strict restrictions are still necessary
Five new cases of the coronavirus have been reported this week. The increase in the number of infections has fallen over the last two weeks, but the epidemic situation in Länsi-Pohja is still in the acceleration phase.
Last week, 967 coronavirus samples were taken in Länsi-Pohja and 27 new coronavirus cases were confirmed. More than 80% of cases could be traced. 75% of these new cases have already become apparent among those already in quarantine.
The incidence rate is currently at 91.9/100,000 inhabitants, which is now the third highest in the country.
Restrictions will continue to apply
Last week, the regional pandemic working group issued a strong recommendation that meetings of more than ten people should not organised for the time being. This recommendation shall apply through to 2 December 2020.
The regional pandemic working group decided to extend all other existing recommendations and restrictions through to 13 December 2020. Although the rate of increase of infection has slowed down, there is still a risk that the epidemic situation will deteriorate rapidly.
It its meeting, the pandemic working group noted that people are adhering to the recommendations and would like to commend people for acting in the appropriate manner. For example, the use of face masks has increased.
In the early week, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has issued guidelines for the areas on the threshold of the spreading phase of the epidemic. In Länsi-Pohja, the restrictions imposed by the instructions have already been in place in recent weeks. All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed on the Hospital District website and here https://koronaturvallinenlappi.fi/en/current-recommendations-and-restrictions-in-place-for-the-lansi-pohja-hospital-district/
No control samples are required
Some of the employers in the area have demanded a negative coronavirus test result for those affected by the coronavirus before returning to work. However, control samples are unnecessary, as sensitive methods may give a false positive result even after a number of weeks following recovery.
An asymptomatic person who has suffered from and recovered from the coronavirus is no longer at risk of infection, even if the test result is positive. In addition, a positive sample does not allow him to be placed in quarantine, which is in line with the stipulations of the Communicable Diseases Act. Thus, examination of control samples only burdens the laboratories unnecessarily.
– The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group
Number of positive coronavirus tests in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
9–15 November (week no. 46): total of 29 cases
16–22 November (week no. 47): total of 27 cases
23–29 November (week no. 48, current week): total of 5 cases (as of 26 November at 11:40)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 295.
Infection Control Unit