The regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup of South Karelia met on 8 March 2022 and stated that the COVID-19 epidemic continues in the region and no clear turn towards the better has, as yet, taken place. The strain on the hospital is relatively high, because there is currently a large number of COVID-19 patients on the wards.
COVID-19 restrictions have now been removed throughout the South Karelia region. However, a strong recommendation to wear a face mask and the remote working and remote conferencing recommendation remain valid in the region (until 31 March 2022), together with section 58(c) of the Communicable Diseases Act on public health and safety in premises.
In week 9 (28 February – 6 March 2022), a total of 1,464 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed and the 14-day incidence rate was 2,402.3 / 100,000 residents. The number of new COVID-19 cases and the incidence rate have taken a slight downward turn.
In the past month (8 February – 7 March 2022), a total of 5,411 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were diagnosed, of which 4,620 concerned persons aged 18 years or older. The actual number of cases is significantly higher, however, because not all infected people take an official PCR test.
In COVID-19 related matters, you can call our service number +358 5 352 2355
The service number for all COVID-19-related telephone communication in the Eksote area is +358 5 352 2355. The service number provides assistance in the following situations:
1) You have been tested positive for COVID-19 and belong to a risk group
2) You have been tested positive for COVID-19 and your symptoms have worsened
3) You want to book a COVID-19 test
4) You want to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
You can call the service number +358 5 352 2355 around the clock and leave a call back request. The call back requests are answered, principally, between 7:00 and 21:00, depending on the service selected by the customer. In case of COVID-19 vaccination appointments, customers are contacted on weekdays between 7:00 and 17:00.
Children with flu-like symptoms must not attend early childhood education or school
Before the winter holiday, up to around 10 percent of 1st to 9th grade students were absent from school each week due to an illness. After the winter holiday, it has been observed that parents have begun to send children with flu-like symptoms to school and early childhood education. The situation assessment workgroup requests that parents keep children who have flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, a cough, or a sore throat, at home.
When you notice that your child has symptoms typical of a COVID-19 infection, we recommend that the child does not attend school or early childhood education. Testing is not necessary if the symptoms are minor. The child should remain at home until the symptoms have subsided, however, for at least five days from the day on which the symptoms started.
─ If there is a COVID-19 positive person in the household, it is recommended that any unvaccinated children stay away from early childhood education or school for a minimum of five days from the moment the symptoms of the COVID-19 positive family member started, says senior physician Sami Raasakka.
Adult persons living in the same household with a COVID-19 positive person can go to work if they do not have any symptoms. Special care must, however, be exercised when in contact with people outside one’s own household, because the risk of contracting the virus is especially high in the case of a household exposure.
The administration of COVID-19 vaccinations continues
COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be administered without an appointment at the IsoKristiina vaccination point in Lappeenranta and at the Tori Galleria vaccination point in Imatra.
THL recommends a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for all 12–17-year-olds who belong to a risk group. For more information: https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/thl-recommends-a-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-for-young-people-aged-12-17-who-are-in-the-high-risk-group
Nuvaxovid vaccine will become available at the Iso-Kristiina vaccination point in Lappeenranta in March:
Thu 10 March 2022 for social and healthcare service staff: vaccinations are administered without an appointment, or an appointment can be booked in advance by calling +358 5 352 2355
Thu 17 March 2022 for persons living in the South Karelia regions: vaccinations are administered without an appointment, or an appointment can be booked in advance by calling +358 5 352 2355
Nuvaxovid vaccine is primarily recommended for persons to whom an mRNA or adenovirus vaccine cannot be administered for a medical reason. The target group also includes, in particular, persons aged 60 or older and persons belonging to a risk group who have not yet received any COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccine can also be administered to other persons aged 18 years or older, who request it instead of the other available vaccines.
The next meeting of the regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup will be held on Tuesday 22 March 2022.
© Koodiviidakko Oy - Y-tunnus 1939962-1