Wednesday 21 April 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:
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
(current information as of 21 April at 12:42)
The Lapland Hospital District is in the baseline phase of the epidemic. The third wave of the epidemic in Finland started to drop after mid-March. Finland’s northern and central hospital districts are widely experiencing the baseline phase of the epidemic, with the exception of Länsi-Pohja. The hospital districts in Finland that are currently experiencing the community transmission or acceleration phases are located in southern Finland. However, the COVID-19 situation is improving throughout the nation.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (5–18 April) is 8.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week (12–18 April) is 1.7 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.
No new infections reported in the Lapland Hospital District this week
In respect to the number of infections, the situation remains calm in the Lapland Hospital District: no new infections of the coronavirus have been reported this week.
Last week (12–18 April) a total of two coronavirus infections were confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. A total of 3,740 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with 3,576 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results in relation to the total number of tests taken was 0.05 percent
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week
Week no. 14 (5–11 April): Eight (8) cases
Week no. 15 (12–18 April): Two (2) cases
Week no. 16 (current week): Zero (0) cases (as of 21 April at 12:42)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 757. This figure also includes persons living outside the area.
Infection Control Unit
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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District
(current information as of 21 April at 13:18)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
The acceleration phase continues – minor relaxations in coronavirus recommendations
The epidemic situation has calmed down in Northern Finland and nationally over the past few weeks, but the difficult situation in the Norrbotten County of Sweden is also reflected in the Länsi-Pohja area. 12 new coronavirus infections were reported in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District last week and during the current week six new infections have been confirmed. Chains of infections travel both ways across the border.
The number of people currently quarantined in the hospital district area is approximately 400. The emphasis of the epidemic continues to be in Tornio, but there are people quarantined in almost every municipality of the area. The epidemic situation in the area is still in the acceleration phase.
The Regional Pandemic Working Group decided to extend all existing coronavirus recommendations through to 9 May 2021 with some minor alleviations. The six-person limit for public gatherings set by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland is valid through till 9 May.
As the vaccination of senior citizens have progressed well in the area, it is the view of the Regional Pandemic Working Group that swimming halls can re-open for people aged over 70 years in a restricted way and by adhering to coronavirus safety instructions. In addition, the group or team sports taking place outdoors are now allowed in accordance with the instructions provided by the sports union.
All recommendations and restrictions currently applied in the Länsi-Pohja area are listed here and on the Hospital District website. The next date for the Pandemic Working Group to meet and review the epidemic situation and coronavirus recommendations is 28 April 2021.
Two further infections from coronavirus variants
Last week, the Regional Pandemic Working Group reported that two of the samples taken in the area were confirmed to be the South African variant of the coronavirus. These infections led to widespread exposures and two further infections have already been confirmed. The tests conducted on asymptomatic people who have been exposed show no further infection.
Vaccinations have progressed well in Länsi-Pohja over the past few weeks. The number of vaccinations available for the area is estimated to increase in the coming weeks. According to current estimates, all people over the age of 70 years who want to take the vaccine will receive the vaccine before the turn of the month.
The municipalities will provide information on their own websites about the vaccination timetables and making appointments.
The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
Week no. 14 (5–11 April): 14 cases
Week no. 15 (12–18 April): 12 cases
Week no. 16 (current week): Six (6) cases (as of 21 April at 13:18)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 613.
Infection Control Unit