Wednesday 18 August 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

Rovaniemi is in the acceleration phase of the epidemic. The other regions of the Lapland Hospital District are in the baseline phase of the epidemic.

The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (2– 15 August) is 208.8 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (9–15 August) is 95.8 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.  

More infections confirmed infections among berry pickers – 42 infections were reported in Kemijärvi

Last week a total of 112 new infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District area. During a week, a total of 5,183 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with 4,991 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was a total of 2.16 percent.

By 16 August, 69.4 percent of the population in the Lapland Hospital District had received the first vaccine dose and 39.9 percent had received both vaccine doses. Of the total population of Finland, 68.9 percent have received the first dose of the vaccine and 42.6 percent have received the second dose.

Over the last few weeks, a large number of coronavirus cases infections have been reported among berry pickers working as seasonal workers in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 170 infections have been reported among these berry pickers in Rovaniemi and 93 people have been ordered to quarantine. A total of 15 berry pickers were reported as having the coronavirus infection in Pelkosenniemi and one has been ordered to quarantine. A total of 42 infections have been reported in Kemijärvi. In Savukoski, Pello, Salla and Posio, berry pickers have also been tested, but no positive coronavirus test results have been found among these. 

Places of exposure in Rovaniemi

• Napapiirin Shell (Shell service station opposite Santa Claus Village) on Friday, 13 August at 11:30–12:00 
• SantaSport’s Puhti restaurant on Monday, 16 August at 12:00–12.30 and Tuesday, 17 August at 11:00–11.30.

Anyone present at these locations during the times mentioned are encouraged to seek a coronavirus test, even with the mildest of symptoms.

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

Week no. 31 (2–8 August): 132 cases

Week no. 32 (9–15 August): 112 cases

Week no. 33 (current week): 57 cases (as of 18 August at 13:54)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 1263. 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.

Regional Pandemic Working Group: In Länsi-Pohja, the epidemic is currently on the verge of entering the acceleration phase

During last week, 27 coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District. Ten of these infections were reported among people already in quarantine, a fifth of the cases came from abroad and a third of cases were confirmed during border testing. A total of ten new coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far this week.

The tracing of these infection tracking has functioned well and 70–80 percent of all infections confirmed in the region have been traceable. There are currently no coronavirus patients in hospital care.

Although the incidence rate in the region has been increasing in recent weeks, the epidemic in Länsi-Pohja remains at the baseline phase. However, a transition to the acceleration phase is very close. The restrictions will be reviewed once again in the meeting of the Pandemic Working Group that will be convened next week.

Coronavirus safety measures, i.e. good hand hygiene and safe distancing, must continue to be observed. Face masks should also be used for all social contacts where safe distancing cannot be guaranteed. All coronavirus recommendations currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed on the Hospital District website.

Vaccination coverage has already reached a good level – young people are also encouraged to get vaccinated

To date, 68 percent of all people to receive the vaccine in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District have received at least one dose. Approximately 40 percent of the people to receive the vaccine have received both doses.

There are still plenty of people in the younger age groups who have not yet received the vaccine. The Regional Pandemic Working Group recommends the vaccine for all people over 12 years of age. The more people who take the vaccine, the more likely it is to be possible during the autumn to avoid, for example, temporarily banning group/team pastimes, face-to-face school education, and other restrictions.

Vaccination appointment times are now well available in all municipalities in the region.

The first dose of vaccine already protects against a very serious form of the disease and provides protection against the difficult form of disease caused by delta variant. This variant of the virus has particularly spread among young people.

The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group

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

Week no. 31 (2–8 August): 29 cases

Week no. 32 (9–15 August): 27 cases

Week no. 33 (current week): 10 cases (as of 18 August at 11:12)

The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 845.

Infection Control Unit