Coronavirus infection rising among Somalis in Helsinki

A rise in COVID-19 diagnoses has been recorded among the members of Helsinki’s Somali-speaking community, said the City of Helsinki in a press release.

About 200 coronavirus infection cases have been identified among them until Tuesday, which is 1.8 per cent of the Somali community residing in the capital city, compared with the 0.2 per cent average among all residents of the city.

The City of Helsinki and the hospitals under the metropolitan area hospital network HUS have stepped up their efforts to prevent further contagion following the worrying trend.

The City of Helsinki and HUS have been closely monitoring a reported spread of the coronavirus infection in Stockholm’s Somali-speaking communities, but until recently, it appeared that Helsinki was not experiencing a similar trend.

Now, however, the rate of infections among Helsinki’s Somali-speaking community has quickly begun to rise.

“I find the recent spread of infection among minority-language communities very worrying. The situation demands enhanced teamwork, continued development of multilingual services and effective targeted communications. We have entered into discussions with the Finnish Somali League about new measures to improve the situation. We also need to boost our cooperation within the entire metropolitan area, as this situation is most likely not limited to Helsinki,” said Helsinki Mayor Jan Vapaavuori.

“HUS has previously identified the need to clarify our communications and reach out to the immigrant communities. We have increased the amount of material that is available in various languages and formats, video included. It is of paramount importance that communications and advice are available to everyone in Finland, by the means that reach them the best,” said HUS CEO Juha Tuominen.