Coronavirus death toll raises to 34 in Finland

The coronavirus death toll in Finland has risen to 34 as seven more patients- two in Helsinki-Uusimaa hospital district (HUS), four in Pohjois-Savo Hospital District (KYS) and one on Turku Hospital District (TYKS)- died in the last 24 hours, the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said on Tuesday.

THL said that so far 22 people died in Helsinki-Uusimaa hospital district (HUS), nine in Pohjois-Savo Hospital District (KYS), one in Tampere- Pirkanmaa (TAYS) Hospital District, one in Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (OYS) Hospital District and one in Turku Hospital District (TYKS).

The THL, however, did not divulge any details about the deceased considering their confidentiality.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus infection cases in Finland has risen to 2308, as 132 more cases were diagnosed on Tuesday in different areas of the country, said THL.

A total of 231 patients remain in hospital, including 83 in the intensive care units.

Experts fear that the total number of people infected with coronavirus in Finland is much higher than the official figure counted by the authorities concerned.

As all the suspected cases are not being tested anymore, so the real number of infections is estimated to be much higher. Only the seriously ill and people in risk-groups, such as social and healthcare workers, are being tested in the country now.

Meanwhile, the government on Tuesday decided to further strengthen control on its internal and external borders including northern land border with Sweden and Norway to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

The decision has been adopted with the view to impose restrictions on border traffic and the quarantine rules until 13 May.

Essential travel to work and other necessary traffic, however, will be allowed.