Picture
Observation image of virus and DNA.
Coronavirus

The corona situation in South Karelia has weakened since last week - the snapshot group warns against neglecting the recommendations

Release
9.2.2021 19:04
We cannot afford to loosen the recommendations given now.

South Karelia's regional COVID-19 situational group stated at the 9.2.2021 meeting: The coronavirus epidemic is still accelerating in the South Karelia region.

The 27.1.2021-person gathering limit set by the Regional Administrative Agency (AVI) on January 20, 10 is in effect until the end of February, which means all indoor and outdoor events. The regional situational group has previously imposed a gathering limit of XNUMX individuals. Even small gatherings should be avoided whenever possible.

The situation picture group hopes that South Karelia will carefully follow the instructions, recommendations and restrictions on corona prevention. A weakened situation can rush into the spreading phase suddenly due to the spread of a virus variant, possible mass exposures or slipping from recommendations.

- For a while, the Eksote area had one of the lowest incidence rates in Finland. Now, however, the situation has worsened and the so-called British variant has also been encountered in our region, says the vice-chairman of the regional situation picture group Marjo Numminen.

The British variant changes the corona situation sensitively

So far, only a few variants of the coronavirus have been found in the Eksoten area. Now the number of infections is also increasing for variants.

- The mutated versions of the virus are very sensitive to spread and thus easily cause large mass exposures and possible further infections, says Eksoten's chief infectious disease doctor Pekka Suomalainen.

The Finn reminds that if symptoms appear, you should apply for a test quickly. With timely testing, it is possible to gain time for infection tracing to reach those exposed to the virus before they become symptomatic. The spread of the coronavirus can be contained if those exposed are placed in quarantine in time.

- Now we cannot afford to loosen the given recommendations. A safety distance of more than two meters, avoiding crowds, wearing a mask where there are other people present, and diligent hand washing are the most effective means to implement personally, advises Eksoten's chief physician of outpatient healthcare Sami Raasakka.

Eksote urges you to apply for a test immediately if symptoms suggestive of the coronavirus appear. School-aged children should also be tested as soon as symptoms appear. You can apply for a corona test www.omaolo.fi through the service. You can also fill in the symptom assessment for your child's symptoms. If using the online service is not possible, you can make an appointment for the test at your own welfare and health center or during the emergency hours by calling 116 117. The contact information for the welfare and health centers can be found on Eksoten's website: https://www.eksote.fi/Koronavirus/toimintaohjeet/

The coronavirus causes a sudden respiratory infection

The disease picture can vary from an almost asymptomatic disease to a severe disease. Symptoms can also vary as the disease progresses.

Symptoms may include headache, smell or taste disturbances, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, roughness of the throat, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Based on the symptoms alone, you cannot conclude whether the respiratory infection is caused by the coronavirus or some other virus or bacteria.

 

 

More information for the media:

Marjo Numminen, vice-chairman of the snapshot group, hospital director, Eksote, phone 040 127 4200, berry. mooratexote.fi (marjo[dot]numminen[at]eksote[dot]fi)

Kristiina Kapulainen, secretary of the situation picture group, safety and preparedness manager, Eksote, phone 040 651 1791, kristiina. kapulainenatexote.fi (kristiina[dot]kapulainen[at]eksote[dot]fi)

The following recommendations are valid from 3.12.2020 December 28.2.2021 to XNUMX February XNUMX

Private events:

A gathering limit of 10 people is valid for private events.

Organization of teaching:

Second-level education is recommended to be moved to distance education from December 7.12.2020, 28.2.21, with the exception of face-to-face education deemed necessary by the organizer of the education. Distance education is recommended to be continued at least until XNUMX.

Early childhood education and basic education will continue as before.

The mask recommendation is valid for everyone over the age of 12 and on all school rides.

Teaching organizers are also given a mask recommendation on school transport. The organizer of the lesson will provide masks for the children and young people who are being transported to school. Other children and young people using public transport get the masks themselves.

Public spaces:

Library events are canceled and lounges, such as newsrooms, are recommended to be closed. Borrowing and returning books continues. You are only allowed to do business in the library for the time necessary for taking care of things, and we ask that you prefer advance reservations. Library customers are strongly advised to wear a mask.

The number of customers in museums and youth facilities is limited to 20 people. Youth activities are recommended to be partially moved online, but youth facilities can be open at the discretion of the municipalities, taking into account the 20-person limit.

Group hobby activities:

Indoor group hobby activities for people over the age of 20 are recommended to be suspended in team and contact sports.

Group hobby activities for children and young people can be continued using special consideration, taking into account the limit of 20 people for both indoor and outdoor hobby activities. In group hobby activities, the risks related to the nature of the sport must be taken into account. If the hobby activity is not interrupted, the instructions of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health must be taken into account that participants and accompanying children must be able to avoid close contact with each other.

The aim is to secure the training of professional and competitive athletes in such a way that training can be continued if it is safe and the guidelines regarding gathering restrictions and gatherings can be followed. There can be 20 people at a time, including athletes and coaches.

Adult Championship level and 1st division match and game activities:

If the matches/games are played so-called for empty stands (there is no audience), it is not an audience event. In this case, the game is not prohibited under the order of the regional administrative agency.

If the public is present, the occasion is subject to the order of the regional administrative agency and the limit of 20 people. When spectators are separated from players and maintenance staff (e.g. in a separate stand), spectators are subject to their own 20-person limit, and players, including officials and maintenance staff, are subject to their own 20-person limit.

Matches and games are allowed for adult SM, 1-div and U20 teams, if a South Karelian team participates in the games and matches/tournaments.

Travel:

Travel between Finland and Russia should be avoided.

It is recommended to avoid all movement to areas in the spreading phase. Movement should be avoided, especially in areas where the coronavirus situation is more difficult than in South Karelia. Travel to northern ski resorts and abroad should be avoided. Similarly, for example, tournament trips between provinces are not recommended.

Telecommuting:

All employers in South Karelia are recommended to organize remote work in all tasks where it is even temporarily possible. If remote work is not possible, it is recommended that the employer instructs the use of a face mask in all workplaces, even if keeping safety distances is possible. Meals and coffee breaks should be staggered. Business and official trips and local training events are not recommended.

Mask recommendation:

The mask recommendation is valid in public transport, including school rides and taxi drivers and passengers.

Otherwise, the mask recommendation for the acceleration phase is valid according to THL's instructions for over 12 years old:

  • Persons applying for a coronavirus test on the way to sample collection and before the test result is ready, if there is a necessary reason to move outside the home
  • Travelers arriving in Finland from the risk area when they move from the point of entry to quarantine or if they have a necessary reason to move outside their home during quarantine.
  • In primary schools from the sixth grade and in secondary educational institutions (including upper secondary schools) and universities
  • In all work communities, as well as in the indoor spaces of hobby and volunteer activities, if more than one person works and stays in the same space.

In public indoor spaces and public events (Shops and shopping centers, post offices, banks, libraries and other similar indoor spaces / Spaces used for exercise or sports and their monitoring (at least public spaces and changing rooms) / Swimming pools, spas and saunas (public spaces and changing spaces) / Churches and others facilities of religious communities / Concert halls and other facilities used for the performance of live music / Cinemas and other facilities used for the presentation of films and other similar audiovisual works / Museums and galleries / Amusement and theme parks and attractions if indoor / Facilities used for gambling and betting services)

Customer service points must be equipped with protective plexes. For those working in customer service, the employer must distribute masks or protective visors to employees who have to work less than 2 meters away from other people.

Proceedings:

It is not recommended to organize events. During the acceleration phase, events of less than 20 people can be organized, if you are able to follow the instructions of the Department of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding safe distances and hygiene practices with absolute precision and in all respects.

Additional information for event organizers on the website of the Regional Administration Office: https://avi.fi/usein-kysyttya-koronaviruksesta