Still, there is no cure for coronavirus (koronavirus, in Finnish). However, some countries, like South Korea tried aggressive testing and experts credit the emphasis on testing with reducing case numbers and fatalities. However, many of the countries including Finland disagree with this method.
Foreigner.fi asked the readers in a Twitter poll, "Do you think Government should test anyone with coronavirus symptoms?"
In the poll, respondents were given two options, which were 'Yes' and 'No'.
The mini poll was answered by 65 readers and 83.1% of the readers demand to test anyone with coronavirus symptoms. Only 16.9% voted 'No'.
Do you think Government should test anyone with coronavirus symptoms?
— Foreigner.fi (@foreignerfi) March 20, 2020
Some readers also said aggressive testing is not enough and the Finnish Government should declare a lockdown.
And also lockdown the city...
— antonina G (@antoninaG13) March 21, 2020
Esa-Pekka Pälvimäki, a neurosurgeon at HUS said in a Twitter post urged authorities to start a large-scale testing and isolation program.
Ulkonaliikkumiskieltoa esitetään nyt keinona. Idiotismia. Puut ja linnut, pyöräily ja kävelylenkit eivät levitä koronaa. Pidetään etäisyyttä ihmisiin. Nyt: baarit, kuntosalit, ravintolat, kaupat (paitsi itsestäänselvästi välttämättömät), koulut, etc kiinni. Lisää covid testausta.
— Esa-Pekka Pälvimäki (@eppe) March 21, 2020
On the other hand, Mika Salminen, Director of Health at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is against this idea.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends extensive testing, along with containment. According to WHO, this is the key to successful epidemic management.
Finland’s strategy is different from that recommended by the WHO. “To be honest, we do not understand WHO's approach to testing. We will not get that disease out of the world anymore. If someone claims this, they do not understand pandemics,” said Salminen.
Instead of stopping the epidemic, Finland’s strategy aims to slow it down, in order to "lower the curve". Then society will overcome the peak of infections, and the already affected population will begin to provide protection as a potential new wave strikes.
