Airport screening spots few coronavirus cases

A total of 8,837 passengers at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport had responded to the symptom questionnaire related to coronavirus since 27 March when the health screening was launched at the airport until the end of April.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Tuesday said nine confirmed coronavirus infections were detected through the screening while 204 passengers reported symptoms of respiratory infection.

All persons arriving in Finland must fill in the symptom questionnaire, and anyone showing symptoms based on it are referred for coronavirus testing.

Screenings at the airport have detected approximately 102 infections per 100,000 passengers. At the same time, approximately 5,320 infections per 100,000 people tested have been diagnosed at healthcare centres.

“Based on the figures, it seems that coronavirus infections are rarely found through airport screening. It is possible that some passengers do not experience symptoms until later. It is therefore important to follow the instructions issued by the authorities and get tested immediately, if you experience any symptoms,” said THL Chief Physician Taneli Puumalainen.

So far, about 45 per cent of all coronavirus infections diagnosed in Finland have been reported by doctors to the National Infectious Diseases Register. Around 20 per cent of the cases reported by doctors are related to travel.

In approximately seven per cent of the reported cases, the origin of the infection has been related to Austria. Other common countries are Italy (approximately 3% of the reported cases) and Spain (approximately 2% of the reported cases).

“Most of the cases recorded in March came from abroad. In April, the proportion of infections contracted abroad sank below five per cent because travel has been very limited in recent weeks,” said Puumalainen.