Only a few supervision cases related to Covid-19 deaths during the pandemic

A total of eight supervision cases related to Covid-19 deaths were processed by Valvira and the Regional State Administrative Agencies between 2020 and 2023. Data from Statistics Finland shows that 5,859 Covid-19 deaths were reported in 2020–2022. The number of supervision cases relative to the number of deaths has been extremely low. 

Valvira and the Regional State Administrative Agencies compiled all the social welfare and health care supervision cases related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the treatment and prevention of Covid-19, between 5 Feb 2020 and 31 Dec 2023. There were 1,022 cases, including complaints, supervision cases, requests for guidance and requests for statements.  

During the period reviewed, there were 732 cases in health care and 278 cases in social welfare. The majority of the supervision cases concerned health centres, hospitals and housing services. The focus in supervision matters concerning hospitals and health centres was on testing, the care provided and vaccinations. Meanwhile, supervision matters concerning housing services had to do with PPE, restrictions on visits and mobility and operating practices at units during Covid lockdowns.

The highest numbers of supervision cases per capita were recorded by the Northern Finland and Lapland Regional State Administrative Agencies, while the highest absolute numbers of cases were recorded by the Southern Finland and Northern Finland Regional State Administrative Agencies and by Valvira. The rate at which cases were filed was high in the early days of the pandemic: for instance, 104 cases were filed in April 2020 alone. The incidence of supervision cases varied across the phases of the pandemic and according to the measures implemented. Since June 2022, however, the number of cases filed has remained stable at fewer than 10 per month. 

Further information:

Senior Officer Mari Saramaa, 0295 209 342