Here’s our evening round-up of the latest coronavirus news from Finland:
- Latest infection numbers & fatalities
- Government cancels summer events for June & July
- Businessman in China face mask order arrested
- EU Ministers discuss common recovery plan
- Cities report lack of protective equipment
- Coronavirus discovered at Helsinki daycare centres
Latest infection numbers and fatalities
The National Institute of Health and Welfare THL says there have now been 4,129 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Finland - that’s up 115 from the day before.
There have also been 149 coronavirus-related deaths in Finland. This figure includes both hospital deaths, and Covid-19 deaths in other locations like care homes. Those numbers were not being reported together until this week.
Although THL says that most cases of coronavirus in Finland have been mild, across the country there are 199 people in hospital - a number that’s been falling in recent days. There are still 63 people in intensive care.
Government cancels summer events in June & July
Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has announced that all public events with more than 500 people will be canceled for June and July, as measures to manage the coronavirus pandemic are extended.
Marin made the announcement on Wednesday evening after a day of talks between ministers and experts, and the restrictions mean that some of the biggest events of the summer including Ilosaarirock in Joensuu, Pori Jazz Festival, Provinssi Festival in Seinäjoki and sports events like the Motorcycle Grand Prix with was coming to Finland for the first time, are all canceled this year.
Helsinki’s Mayor Jan Vapaavuori (NCP) has reacted by saying he thinks the government should already have announced a decision about August events, as many of Helsinki’s biggest summer happenings take place that month. However, a decision will be made in early June about events set to happen in late summer.
Police looking into elderly care home deaths
Police in Helsinki and North Savo are looking into a number of coronavirus deaths at elderly care homes.
In the capital, a request has been made to investigate whether the nursing homes or those responsible for their operations have committed crimes in violation of laws that are in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Inquiries are ongoing but Markku Silen from the Helsinki Police Department says it’s not yet clear whether an official preliminary investigation should be opened by officers. That would only happen if there is reason to suspect that a crime has been committed. Silen says the request for an investigation wasn’t aimed at one specific nursing home, but to nursing homes in Helsinki in general.
Meanwhile Helsingin Sanomat reports that police in North Savo are looking into the deaths of 11 elderly patients at the Kallionsydän care home. Those deaths account for a third of the residents of the 30-bed facility.
Businessman in China face mask order arrested
A businessman involved in a controversial deal to bring protective masks from China to Finland has been arrested by police. Onni Sarmaste has been detained by the National Bureau of Investigation and around €2.7 million worth of funds were frozen.
Sarmaste was one of the middlemen who brokered a deal between the National Emergency Supply Agency NESA and manufacturers in China to bring millions of face masks to Finland. However, when they arrived and were tested the masks were found to be of such poor quality that they couldn’t be used.
The police apparently arrested Sarmaste at his Espoo home, and also impounded two vehicles. Sarmaste had previously told the media that he bought some luxury cars with the proceeds of his NESA deal.
EU Ministers discuss common recovery plan
Ministers for European Affairs from around the 27-nation block have been meeting, virtually, to discuss the need for a common recovery plan from the coronavirus crisis.
Finland’s EU minister Tytti Tuppurainen says that Finland actively supports EU cooperation against the pandemic and in future recovery efforts.
“In the past, the EU has shown its strength in difficult times. Now, we need this ability to work together and find common solutions at the European level once again” says the Oulu MP.
Ministers also discussed the need to safeguard the rights of EU citizens and the rule of law while national-level restrictions are in place to tackle the pandemic.
“In exceptional circumstances, it is even more important to ensure that the fundamental rights of EU citizens are protected. The EU must to be a community of values that respects liberal democracy and the rule of law, both now and after the Covid-19 crisis” says Tytti Tuppurainen.
Cities report a lack of protective equipment for healthcare workers
Healthcare officials in a number of Finnish cities are reporting a lack of protective equipment for frontline staff during the coronavirus epidemic, according to a new survey conducted by Verkkouutiset, a newspaper affiliated with the National Coalition Party.
Tampere reports particular problems sourcing equipment for staff working with elderly patients in care homes. Although the city received 150,000 masks on Monday, that’s far less than they need on a weekly basis.
Meanwhile in Turku there is a similar message where face masks have arrived in batches of 25,000 but actual needs are much higher according to officials. Vantaa reports a lack of face masks for people working with elderly and disabled patients, however officials in Kuopio and Jyväskylä say they have a reasonable amount of protection to treat patients with respiratory symptoms.
