No coronavirus case found in Finland as Chinese tourists tested

Two Chinese tourists, who are visiting Finland have been tested for the Wuhan strain of coronavirus but the test report said that they do not have the coronavirus infection, said the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Friday.

The samples of the two suspected tourists were examined at THL’s laboratory and the authority found that they were not infected by coronavirus, said an official press release.

In Finland, health care and laboratories have the required preparedness plans and are well prepared for examining and treating infections. Possible cases of the coronavirus will be investigated with a low threshold.

“It is possible that individual cases of the Wuhan coronavirus will be found in Finland as a result of tourism and other international travel. Rapid identification of cases is important so that effective prevention measures can be taken to reduce the risk of further infections,” said Taneli Puumalainen, Chief Physician at THL.

There is no evidence of the effectiveness of the fever screenings of tourists entering the country and the World Health Organisation WHO does not recommend it.

“Instead of carrying out screening at airports, it is better to focus on directing tourists to examinations and treatment if necessary," said Puumalainen.

The Lapland Hospital District and local healthcare authorities have been investigating the situation together with THL.