Thursday 27 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 (10–23 May) is 6.0 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (17–23 May) is 2.6 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 the Lapland Hospital District, it has been a quiet week with regard to infections – not a single infection this week
This week, no infections have been detected in the Lapland Hospital District. Last week (week no. 20, 17–23 May), a total of three (3) coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 2,777 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with 2,673 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was 0.11 percent.
Vaccination coverage on 24 May 2021:
Of the population of the Lapland Hospital District, 39.6 percent of the population have received the first dose of the vaccine and 9.9 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine. Of the total population of Finland, 41.1 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 6.8 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine.
In its meeting convened on Friday 21 May, the Coronavirus Coordination Group of the Lapland Hospital District updated its coronavirus recommendations and restrictions. The restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend private events is to be lifted, the personal restriction recommendation is removed, but it is still recommended to maintain a safe distance of two metres from others and to use a face mask. Sports, fitness, and team activities can be organised, but we must remember the coronavirus safety instructions: maintain safe distancing and use a face mask in all situations, except for in actual sports activities themselves.
The Infection Control Unit of the Lapland Hospital District has updated its domestic travel guidelines. It is still important to make sure that you only travel when you are healthy and immediately seek a coronavirus test at the nearest test point if you experience even the slightest of symptoms, and you must remain isolated in quarantine until the test result is received.
In northern Norway, the number of infections has risen significantly
(Information as of 24 May)
In Tromsø and Finnmark, the incidence rate based on the last two weeks is currently used 82.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. There has been a high level of infection, especially in Hammerfest. Although traffic restrictions for the Finnish and Norwegian border communities have been lifted, it is still very important in such an epidemic situation that all those coming from northern Norway to Finland should take a coronavirus test if they do not already have valid negative test results.
The coronavirus situation in Norrbotten, Sweden, is also still very active. The incidence rate for Norrbotten, based on the last two weeks is 809.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. The situation in the area is reflected in the hospital and emergency clinic usage. Among the municipalities of Norrbotten, the situation is calm in Haparanda, while some increase in coronavirus infections disease can be seen in Övertorneå, and particularly a significant increase in the number of cases in Kiruna, where a total of 233 COVID-19 cases were reported last week.
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week
Week no. 19 (10–16 May): Four (4) cases
Week no. 20 (17–23 May): Three (3) cases
Week no. 21 (current week): Zero (0) cases (as of 27 May at 12:56)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 792. 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 now in the baseline phase of the epidemic.
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District returns to the baseline phase – public gathering and meeting restrictions will be eased by 7 June 2021
Only three (3) new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Länsi-Pohja this week.
Public announcement issued on 26 May 2021:
During last week, four coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District. The incidence rate based on the last two weeks is 13.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. There are currently no coronavirus patients in hospital care.
Given the clear decline in the number of infections and the incidence rate, the Regional Pandemic Working Group decided that the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District would return to the baseline phase of the epidemic.
The restriction of ten persons for a public gathering, imposed by the Regional State Administrative Office, shall remain in force until 6 June 2021. The Regional Pandemic Working Group strongly recommends that the restrictions for public gatherings should also be observed for private events. Public gathering restrictions will be lifted starting from 7 June 2021, if the epidemic situation remains under control.
On the Swedish side of the border, the epidemic situation in Norrbotten is still difficult, and this may quickly change the situation in the Länsi-Pohja region. There is also evidence of people becoming bored and frustrated with all the restrictions and coronavirus safety measures, which has led to extensive exposure in the region in recent weeks. Half of the infections reported during the week came from unknown sources. There are still active carriers of the coronavirus in the area with people who are not experiencing any symptoms at all. Early summer celebrations pose a risk that the epidemic situation will quickly deteriorate once again.
In order to maintain a good epidemic situation, we continue to urge everyone to take a coronavirus test even with the slightest of symptoms. In addition, the coronavirus safety rules (safe distancing, face masks, good hand hygiene) must still be strictly adhered to. All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed on the Hospital District website.
There are plenty of free vaccination appointments available
Vaccination has progressed well in the municipalities and there are currently plenty of vaccination appointments available. In some municipalities, the age limits for vaccination have been dropped, because plenty of vaccines are available. For example, in the Keminmaa Municipality, there are many free vaccination appointments available for people over the age of 35 years.
The level of vaccination activity among the local population has worryingly decreased and there is a fear that the available vaccination appointments will not be used. Failure to use the available appointments causes problems, because vaccines can only be kept for a limited period of time.
It is now worth actively making an appointment for vaccination in order to achieve a good level of vaccination coverage in the area. Receiving a vaccination can also facilitate travel in the near future. Many countries require people entering the country to prove they have already received the coronavirus vaccine.
The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
Week no. 19 (10–16 May): 11 cases
Week no. 20 (17–23 May): Four (4) cases
Week no. 21 (current week): Three (3) cases (as of 27 May at 7:48)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 688.
Infection Control Unit