Most coronavirus cases spotted in Finland linked to tourism

The number of coronavirus infection cases rises to 33 as the Central Finland Central Hospital on Monday afternoon announced three more infections.

All of the patients have been ordered to be quarantined at home.

More than 700 pupils and school staffers have now been ordered out of school due to the COVID-19, reported news agency Xinhua.

Five education institutes across the country have put students and staff members in quarantine.

Minister of Education Li Andersson urged citizens not to go to school, kindergarten or work if they have flu symptoms.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Monday updated its information regarding the list of epidemic areas and the number of coronavirus infected people in the country.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Monday updated its information regarding the list of epidemic areas and the number of people infected with coronavirus in the country.

Following the recent developments, THL added Tyrol of Austria and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia of Germany to the list of epidemic areas, said the institute in a press release.

The list of epidemic areas now include China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, ski resorts in Tyrol, Austria and North Rhine-Westphalia of Germany.

“The plan is to detect infections in travellers arriving from the risk areas. Further infections can be reduced by studying the chains of infection and identifying people exposed to the virus,” said THL Director Mika Salminen.

Earlier, THL on Monday said so far, 30 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) have been diagnosed in Finland. Twenty-three of them are related to tourism and the rest are secondary infections.

All of the cases diagnosed in Finland have been mild. Some of them have required hospital care, too.

It is important to investigate the possibility of coronavirus infection in all persons who meet the sampling criteria detailed in THL’s instructions for healthcare.

As of 9 March 2020, samples from approximately 650 patients meeting the criteria have been examined in Finland.

According to the update, a total of 17 coronavirus cases were detected in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS), five in Pirkanmaa Hospital District (PSHP), two in Kanta-Häme Hospital District (KHSHP), and one each in North Savo Hospital District (PSSHP), South Karelia Social and Health Care District (Eksote), Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District (PPO), Lapland Hospital District (LSPH), Päijät-Häme Hospital District (PHHYKY), and Southwest Finland Hospital District (VSSHP).

THL has also updated its healthcare guidelines based on the new information. Rapid identification of cases is important so that measures can be taken to prevent other people from contracting the disease.