Wednesday 2 December 2020
The translated version of the coronavirus review for Lapland is published once a week.
Lapland Hospital District’s coronavirus review
(current information at 13:30)
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 still in the baseline phase of the coronavirus.
A total of 3,025 coronavirus tests were taken last week (23–29 November/week no. 48), of which 0.86 percent were positive. Of all the tests taken, 1,387, i.e. 46% were rapid antigen tests.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (week no. 47 and 48, 16–29 November) is 32.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on the previous week (week no. 48, 16–22 November) is 23.1/100,000 inhabitants.
Although the number of cases has recently increased, these are related to already identified chains where the source is known.
In order to safeguard the travel industry, it is recommended that even stricter measures than official recommendations be applied
In the main, the accommodation and catering enterprises operating in the Lapland Hospital District area have behaved in a responsible manner in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Finnish Lapland Tourist Board, together with the regional tourism organisations, has appealed to all restaurants and bars, and urges them to operate as follows:
- Serving must stop at 10 p.m., as is done in the areas currently in the accelerating and spreading phase, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
- Face masks must be used on the premises by customers and employees alike, if safe distancing cannot be maintained.
- Strongly emphasise the importance of safe distancing, hand hygiene and coughing hygiene for customers, including use of the Koronavilkku app.
The Infection Control Unit of the Lapland Hospital District considers these recommendations as good. The Coronavirus Coordination Group of the Lapland Hospital District will hold a meeting on Friday 4 December to assess the COVID-19 situation in the Lapland Hospital District and the necessary follow-up measures.
Yet more infections related to the Bar Ihku infection chain
A total of 27 cases were reported in the Lapland Hospital District during week no. 48 (22–29 November).
A total of four (4) cases have been reported this week.
All this week’s cases are located in the Rovaniemi area. Two (2) of these cases relate to a chain of transmission that started from Levi’s night-life. Two infections were received from outside the hospital district.
The total number of infections related to the chain of infection starting from bars in Levi on 19–21 November 2020 is now 14. Seven of these have been identified in the Lapland Hospital District, five in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District, one in Pori, and one in Espoo.
The infection control unit would like to emphasise that crowded bars playing loud music are places with a high risk of infection.
If you have been in Levi in the following bars/restaurants during the evenings on 19– 21 November, observe your health and go for a coronavirus test, even if the mildest of symptoms occur:
- Bar Ihku
- Pub Hölmölä
- Restaurant Narran
Number of positive coronavirus tests in the Lapland Hospital District by week
16–22 November (week no. 47): total of 11 cases
23–29 November (week no. 48): total of 27 cases
Week 49 (current week): 4 cases (as of 2 December at 13.30)
The total number of coronavirus cases verified by the Lapland Hospital District is 336, with 31 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 at 13:26)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is still in the acceleration phase.
No infections have been verified this week
During 23–29 November (week no. 48) there was a total of 11 cases. There have not yet been any more cases this week. In respect to hospital care, the situation has remained calm and there are currently no COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
Last week, 897 tests were carried out in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks is 60 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate has fallen somewhat over the last few days, but all the recommendations still need to be followed in order to calm the situation down further. By working together we can make the situation even calmer over the Christmas period.
Large gatherings must be avoided until the end of the year
The Regional Pandemic Group decided to continue the recommendation that gatherings of more than 10 people should be organised. This recommendation is valid through to the end of the year. The extension of the restriction on gatherings is justified during the wait for Christmas, as the epidemic is serious in the surrounding areas, in North Ostrobothnia and on the other side of the western border.
Although the regulations issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency do not apply to religious meetings, the risk of spreading the epidemic also applies to these meetings. The Regional Pandemic Group therefore recommends that meetings of more than 10 people should not be organised by parishes either. For example, singing in groups has been found to pose a high risk in terms of the spread of infection.
Children allowed to engage in pastimes
Group or team-based activities for children under 18 years of age have also been suspended in recent weeks. The Regional Pandemic Group states that group activities for children under 18 years of age can now be continued, as the epidemic situation in the region is stabilising. However, all children and young people engaging in these activities must pay careful attention to the safety rules, maintaining safe distances and good hand hygiene.
All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed here: https://koronaturvallinenlappi.fi/en/current-recommendations-and-restrictions-in-place-for-the-lansi-pohja-hospital-district/
Getting a doctor’s certificate for sick leave is an infection risk
Some employers in the area have instructed any of their employees informing that they have respiratory infection symptoms to seek a doctor’s certificate during the weekends from the Mehiläinen Länsi-Pohja emergency clinic. The Regional Pandemic Group recommends that employers in this epidemic situation approve sick leave based on the employee’s own notification. The issuing of sick leave certificates overburdens the emergency clinic and slows down the service for those in need of care.
At weekends, anyone experiencing symptoms can make an appointment with the Tornio coronavirus testing facility for taking a coronavirus test. Instructions for making the appointment can be found on Youtube.
The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group
Number of positive coronavirus tests in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
16–22 November (week no. 47): total of 27 cases
23–29 November (week no. 48): total of 11 cases
Week 49 (current week): 0 cases (as of 2 December at 13.26)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 306.
Infection Control Unit