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Coronavirus infections in Uusimaa hit new record

Helsinki University hospital district requests stricter limits on gatherings as virus cases hit new high.

Helsingin päärautatieasemalla käytettiin kasvomaskeja 4. helmikuuta.
Passengers should wear masks on public transport, say THL and HUS. Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
  • Yle News

The Helsinki University Hospital District (HUS) has proposed stricter limits on gatherings and events in the region, home to over 2 million people.

HUS officials hope that the limit on the number of people permitted at events will be revised downwards, from ten to six.

The request comes as Uusimaa reports record numbers of coronavirus infections, according to data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

According to HUS, there were 1,650 new cases reported in the district in the week to 17 February, with 368 reported on 17 February alone.

New variants of the coronavirus are spreading rapidly, authorities warned.

"Virus variants are spreading at an accelerating pace in Uusimaa. Extensive chains of infection have been observed in the last couple of months, with dozens of people falling ill in a short period of time," HUS's Deputy Chief Physician Eeva Ruotsalainen said in a press release.

Community spread of the new variants was also a factor, Ruotsalainen said, with new cases occurring in people who had not travelled abroad.