Wednesday 17 March 2021
The translated version of the coronavirus review for Lapland is published once a week.
Anyone experiencing even the slightest of symptoms while in Lapland must take a coronavirus test.
Links about the current situation:
Here you will find coronavirus test contact information for all municipalities of Lapland
Official instructions from Lapland to travellers who suspect they may have caught the coronavirus
THL: Travel and the coronavirus pandemic
Find more instructions and current recommendations and restrictions for the hospital districts
THL: This site tells about the progress being made with COVID-19 vaccinations
Lapland Hospital District
(current information at 12:31)
The COVID-19 situation has worsened throughout the country. The majority of hospital districts have now entered the spreading or accelerating phases of the epidemic. The Lapland Hospital District is now in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (week numbers 9 and 10, 1–14 March) is 57.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week, i.e. week no. 10 (8–14 March) is 33.4 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.
Private functions have been organised in Villa Guru in Levi that have resulted in widespread exposures – all people either visiting or staying at the cabin during 3–7 March must take a coronavirus test
A total of seven cases of coronavirus infections have been confirmed this week. All those who have contracted the infection are either people living outside the region or registered in the Lapland Hospital District area, but the infection has been caught from outside the area.
Last week (week no. 10, 8–14 March 2021), a total of 39 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. Of these, 23 were confirmed in Kittilä, nine (9) in Rovaniemi, four (4) in Kolari, two (2) in Inari, and one (1) in Utsjoki. Last week a total of 4,419 coronavirus tests were taken, of which 4,042 were rapid antigen tests.
A larger chain of infections has occurred in Levi from private parties organised at the luxury Villa Guru cabin in Levi. To date, this chain of infections has infected a total of 14 people.
The names of all the people who were present at the cabin in question is still unknown, so everyone who stayed or visited Villa Guru during 3–7 March must take a coronavirus test, even if no symptoms related to infection are experienced.
In addition, there may also have been exposures to the coronavirus at the Levi Wellness Club gym on Tuesday 9 March between the times of 17:00–18:30 and on Wednesday 10 March between the times of 18:45–20:00. All people who have been at the places mentioned at these times must take a coronavirus test, even when experiencing the slightest of symptoms.
Unnecessary travel must still be avoided
With the exception of Levi, the coronavirus situation in the Lapland Hospital District remains calm. There have been no other apparent group exposures or widespread infections in addition to the large infection chain confirmed in Levi. Travellers have behaved in a responsible manner.
The epidemic situation still remains to be in a so-called volatile situation, which is due to the extremely poor coronavirus situation in Helsinki. According to guidelines issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, all unnecessary travel must be avoided. However, if it is absolutely necessary to travel, you must not travel if you are experiencing symptoms, rather you must take a coronavirus test before your departure at your town of residence. If you experience even the mildest of symptoms during the trip, you must seek a coronavirus test at the locality where you are staying and remain in your accommodation until your test results have been received. While on a trip, all contacts with others must be limited to the people you are travelling with, and you must make sure you follow all safety guidelines, such as using a face mask.
Instructions for people travelling who suspect they may have contracted the coronavirus infection
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week
Week no. 9 (1–7 March): 28 cases
Week no. 10 (8–14 March): 39 cases
Week no. 11 (current week): 7 cases (as of 17 March at 12:31)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 704. This figure includes people who live outside the region.
Infection Control Unit
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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District
(current information at 14:02)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
The acceleration phase of the epidemic continues in Länsi-Pohja – restrictions remain in place
Last week (week no. 10, 8–14 March), a total of nine (9) coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District. Of these, two chains are related to visits to the Uusimaa region and one chain to travel heading for the ski resorts in Lapland.
Since the previous review, only one (1) new coronavirus infection has been recorded. During the current week, the number of new cases to date is 23, and 22 of these were in Ylitornio. The Ylitornio cases are related to a single widespread chain of exposure and infection. The coronavirus epidemic situation in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District area is still in the acceleration phase.
The Pandemic Working Group would like to remind everyone that Finland is currently in a national lockdown, with the intention of minimising all contacts outside your immediate family.
The current coronavirus restrictions and recommendations for the area are valid through to the end of the lockdown period, i.e. until 28 March. The restrictions will be reviewed again in the meeting of the Regional Pandemic Working Group that will be convened next week. All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed here and on the Hospital District website.
Municipalities inform about vaccinations on their visit our website
Deliveries of vaccines to the Länsi-Pohja area are still coming in slowly. To date, the municipalities located in the area have vaccinated health care staff, senior citizens, and those belonging to the risk groups.
Due to the different age restrictions for different vaccines, vaccinations have not progressed entirely in order of age. The AstraZeneca vaccine has since been verified as also being effective for people over the age of 70 years, and in the future, these vaccines can also be given to people belonging to older age groups.
According to the policies of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, all people over the age of 70 years will be vaccinated first, after which the vaccination programme will continue with people belonging to the risk groups. At that stage, the differences between municipalities in providing vaccinations will be evened out.
To date, approximately 8,300 vaccines have been given in the area.
According to current estimates, the vaccination pace should speed up in April. In fact, preparations are currently being made in the municipalities for the expansion of vaccinations. Municipalities inform about vaccination matters on their websites.
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
Week no. 9 (1–7 March): 12 cases
Week no. 10 (8–14 March): 9 cases
Week no. 11 (current week): 23 cases (as of 17 March at 14:02)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 569.
Infection Control Unit