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Laboratory-based surveillance of COVID-19 in the Greater Helsinki area, Finland, February-June 2020.
Jarva, H; Lappalainen, M; Luomala, O; Jokela, P; Jääskeläinen, A E; Jääskeläinen, A J; Kallio-Kokko, H; Kekäläinen, E; Mannonen, L; Soini, H; Suuronen, S; Toivonen, A; Savolainen-Kopra, C; Loginov, R; Kurkela, S.
  • Jarva H; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: hanna.jarva@hus.fi.
  • Lappalainen M; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Luomala O; Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
  • Jokela P; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Jääskeläinen AE; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Jääskeläinen AJ; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Kallio-Kokko H; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Kekäläinen E; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Mannonen L; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Soini H; Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
  • Suuronen S; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Toivonen A; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Savolainen-Kopra C; Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
  • Loginov R; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
  • Kurkela S; HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB, Clinical Microbiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
Int J Infect Dis ; 104: 111-116, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-988029
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

The aim was to characterise age- and sex-specific severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR sampling frequency and positivity rate in Greater Helsinki area in Finland during February-June 2020. We also describe the laboratory capacity building for these diagnostics.

METHODS:

Laboratory registry data for altogether 80,791 specimens from 70,517 individuals was analysed. The data included the date of sampling, sex, age and the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test result on specimens collected between 1 February and 15 June 2020.

RESULTS:

Altogether, 4057/80,791 (5.0%) of the specimens were positive and 3915/70,517 (5.6%) of the individuals were found positive. In all, 37% of specimens were from male and 67% from female subjects. While the number of positive cases was similar in male and female subjects, the positivity rate was significantly higher in male

subjects:

7.5% of male and 4.4% of female subjects tested positive. The highest incidence/100,000 was observed in those aged ≥80 years. The proportion of young adults in positive cases increased in late May 2020. Large dips in testing frequency were observed during every weekend and also during public holidays.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest that men pursue SARS-CoV-2 testing less frequently than women. Consequently, a subset of coronavirus disease-2019 infections in men may have gone undetected. People sought testing less frequently on weekends and public holidays, and this may also lead to missing of positive cases. The proportion of young adults in positive cases increased towards the end of the study period, which may suggest their returning back to social behaviour with an increased risk of infection.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Testing / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Testing / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Infant / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article