The Tallink Silja Europa ship departed from Finland on Tuesday, June 30 and returned on Wednesday, 1 July. One person with mild symptoms spent an extended time on the vessel in public spaces and may have exposed passengers to the virus.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare said in a statement on Monday that health officials have confirmed that several persons onboard later tested positive for the virus, Yle news reported on Monday.

Helsinki health centres medical chief Timo Lukkarinen said: "We have identified two families that have been exposed and contacted. The infected person moved around so extensively on the vessel that we have not been able to identify all of their contacts."

There is no precise information about the number of passengers who travelled on the ship and according to Lukkarinen, the infected person was not able to estimate how many people they may have come into contact with.  

Health Board will not initiate a parallel investigation

The Health Board told ERR so far they have not been provided with information about the case as the investigation is ongoing, but a parallel investigation will not be started in Estonia.

Eike Kingsepp, a spokesperson for the Health Board said: "The Finnish Health Board is working to identify the sick and the contacts. At the same time, we are not starting an investigation, we are waiting for information from the Finns."

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