Thursday 9 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 9 February at 14:32)

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

The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (23 August – 5 September) is 59.0 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (30 August – 5 September) is 24.8 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.  

People in Levi may have been infected with the coronavirus last weekend

10 cases of coronavirus infections have been confirmed this week in total. Today, a total of six infections were confirmed and four of these are likely to have originated from Levi last weekend.

Last week (week no. 35, 22–28 March 2021), a total of 29 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 4,455 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with total 4,271 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was 0.65 percent.

By 7 September 2021, of the population of the Lapland Hospital District, 72.5 percent of the population have received the first dose of the vaccine and 50.3 percent have received the second dose of the vaccine.
Of the total population of Finland, 72.4 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 53.3 percent have received the second dose.

In line with the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), municipalities should provide vaccines for people studying and working

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends that those who study or work should be offered a vaccine at the educational establishment or workplace. THL also recommends that the vaccination period be reduced to six weeks for everyone. 

The Lapland Hospital District’s Infection Control Unit states that the national coronavirus strategy has worked well: Finland has been one of the most successful countries in the fight against the coronavirus.

The Government published a new hybrid strategy on Monday, on the basis of which the aim is to open up society once 80% of those over 12 years of age have been fully vaccinated.   In the case of the Lapland Hospital District, the opening up of society has already progressed well and at present, only the general recommendations on using face masks and remote working stay in place in the area of the hospital district.

List of exposure sites for 2–5 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 Santasport Bowling Alley, Rovaniemi at 5:30–6:30 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Kätkätunturi, Kätkän Laavu lean-to, Levi at 12 noon – 1 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Rovaniemi International Grand Market at 1–3 p.m.
• Sunday 5 September Pihvipirtti, Levi at 6–8 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.

The competition for vaccination coverage between the municipalities of the Lapland Hospital District is running through to 15 September – take care of the safety of yourself, your loved ones, and your community

There is a competition ongoing in the Lapland Hospital District where five municipalities with the highest vaccination coverage for the first dose of the vaccine by 15.9 November will each receive EUR 1000 to be used by the local youth council. The goal of the contest is to activate all the residents of the municipalities to take the coronavirus vaccine.

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

Week no. 34 (23–29 August): 40 cases
Week 35: 29 cases
Week number 36 (current week): 10 cases (as of 9 September at 14:32)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 1371. This figure also includes persons living outside the area.

Infection Control Unit

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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District

(information as of 9 September at 8:44)

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

The school exposure chain in Keminmaa continues to expand outside school – it is recommended for residents of Keminmaa now take special caution in preventing the spread of the virus

During week no. 35 (30 August – 5 September 2021), a total of 27 new coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District. Of these, 15 cases originated from the chain of infection of the school exposure in Keminmaa, with more than 250 people in quarantine. 30% of last week’s infections came from inside the quarantine. There were six cases of cross-border infection and only one of them was taken from the Swedish side of the border. Approximately 350 people were quarantined.

A chain of infection has been identified in Keminmaa, with 25 infections recorded by Wednesday 8 September and 336 people were exposed to the virus. The disease is spreading among children and non-vaccinated adults, as well as at various family events.

The hospital district urges the people of Keminmaa to strictly observe the safety measures and to use face masks for all close contacts with others and in public places (e.g. shops, public offices). Even with the mildest of influenza symptoms, you should stay home and seek to take a coronavirus test. Social contacts should also be reduced for the next 10 days in order to put an end to the progression of the infection chain.

Vaccination times are well available in Keminmaa. The vaccine is safe and is recommended for all persons aged 12 or over.

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

Week number 34: 11 cases
Week number 35: 27 cases
Week number 36 (current week): 16 cases (as of 9 September at 8:44)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 906.

Infection Control Unit