Wednesday 24 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 12:00)
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks (week numbers 10 and 11, 8–21 March) is 57.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The incidence rate based on one week, i.e. week no. 11 (15–21 March) 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.
The Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) extended its restrictions on the public gatherings of more than six (6) people through to 11 April
Last week (week no. 11, 15–21 March) a total of 29 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in the Lapland Hospital District. Last week, a total of 4,731 coronavirus tests were taken in the Lapland Hospital District, with 4,268 of these being rapid antigen tests. The proportion of positive test results was 0.61 percent.
A total of six (6) new coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far this week. Of these new infections, two were confirmed in Kemijärvi, one in Kittilä, two in Rovaniemi, and one case was confirmed with a person living in Rovaniemi who had been tested outside of the Lapland Hospital District
The Regional State Administrative Agency for Lapland continues its ban on indoor and outdoor during public events and public gatherings with more than six (6) participants in the municipalities that belong to the Lapland Hospital District. This new regulation is valid for the period 29 March – 11 April 2021. AVI bulletin issued on 22 March 2021
The earlier ban on public gatherings with attendance of over six (6) persons is valid for the period 2–28 March 2021.
Over the last month, only a single group exposure was confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District. This group exposure case occurred in a rental cabin in Levi, Kittilä named Villa Guru. Infections and further infections related to the Villa Guru case now total 21 throughout the country. At least for the time being, it can be stated that the situation for the Lapland Hospital District is distinctly taking a calmer course.
The Lapland Coronavirus Coordination Working Group decided to keep the recommendations concerning the Lapland Hospital District in place and extends these through to 11 April
Review of the situation by the Lapland Coronavirus Coordination Working Group issued on 19 March 2021: The epidemic situation in the Lapland Hospital District is still under control. The number of new cases is currently smaller than for previous weeks. The incidence rate for the last two weeks (week numbers 9–10) has been 56.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, and this figure also includes tourists from outside the locality. The coronavirus incidence rate for inhabitants of the Lapland Hospital District area was 29.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure shows that a large proportion of infections are related to tourism in Lapland.
Levi has had higher infection numbers than the rest of Lapland. Infections have been confirmed for employees of the tourist industry living inside and outside the region. However, it has been possible to source trace the chains of infection in Kittilä and the tracing task has been handled effectively that infections spreading further through the population have been avoided.
Vaccinations using the Astra Zeneca vaccine to be temporarily suspended
On the basis of announcements issued by Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) suspended the use of the Astra Zeneca vaccine on 19 March. This suspension will be held in place for at least this week, and a resolution for continuing vaccinations is expected.
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District by week
Week no. 10 (8–14 March): 39 cases
Week no. 11 (15–21 March): 29 cases
Week no. 12 (current week): 6 cases (as of 24 March at 12:00)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Lapland Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 732. This figure includes people who live outside the region.
Infection Control Unit
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Länsi-Pohja Hospital District
(current information at 11:52)
The Länsi-Pohja Hospital District is in the acceleration phase of the epidemic.
Epidemic still in the acceleration phase – restrictions to continue for another month
No new coronavirus cases have been confirmed since the previous review. Three cases of coronavirus infections have been confirmed this week.
The incidence rate based on the last two weeks is currently used 55.3 per 100,000 inhabitants.
During week number 11 (15–21 March), 27 new cases of the coronavirus infection were reported in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District, 25 of which were related to the Ylitornio chain of infections. More detailed analysis of the infection cases has not provided any indication of new coronavirus variants.
As the epidemic situation can quickly take a change for the worse, the Regional Pandemic Working Group decided to extend the validity of the current restrictions through to 25 April 2021. Later this week, the Regional State Administrative Agency of Lapland will make a decision regarding restrictions for gatherings.
Here you can see the currently valid coronavirus recommendations and restrictions in place for the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District
Vaccinations continue using the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines
Due to the interruption in the distribution of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, some vaccination appointments have had to be cancelled in the municipalities this week. However, vaccinations continue using the other vaccines. According to current estimates, the number of vaccines arriving in the area will increase in the beginning of April.
The number of vaccines will be evened out between municipalities according to the instructions issued by THL. People aged 70 years and older will be given the vaccine first, after which the municipalities will continue vaccinating those people who belong to the risk groups.
The Länsi-Pohja Regional Pandemic Working Group
Number of positive coronavirus tests confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District by week
Week no. 10 (8–14 March): 9 cases
Week no. 11 (15–21 March): 27 cases
Week no. 12 (current week): 3 cases (as of 24 March at 11:52)
The total number of cases confirmed in the Länsi-Pohja Hospital District on the basis of coronavirus tests conducted at testing stations is 573.
Infection Control Unit