The regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup of South Karelia met on 5 April 2022 and stated that BA.2 is currently the dominant virus variant in South Karelia and the number of infections remain at an evenly high level throughout the region. The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital has been relatively high in recent weeks, but the situation has remained fairly calm at the intensive care unit of the Central Hospital.
─ Patients continue to be spotted, diagnosed, and treated, but their number is relatively high, says chief infectious diseases physician Pekka Suomalainen.
─ The situation is made worse by the shortage of staff, as there has been an increase in the number of sick leaves among the staff. However, further infections at the workplace have, luckily, remained at a low level.
During week 13 (28 March – 3 April 2022), a total of 1,435 new COVID-19 cases were found and the 14-day incidence rate was 2,259.4 as per 100,000 residents. There has been a slight increase in the number of tests taken in recent weeks, and, out of all the tests, roughly 40 percent have come back positive.
On Monday 4 April 2022, an especially large number of new COVID-19 cases were found: of the tests taken, 75 percent were positive. This is the highest daily number of new cases since the testing was started – out of a total of 381 tests, 286 came back positive.
High levels of the virus continue to circulate in the region
In wastewater monitoring, concentrations have remained at a high level. This supports the view that the COVID-19 situation has still not began to improve and that the number of new cases is likely to increase in the coming days and weeks. The number of absences is also increasing slightly in primary education and is currently around 5–7 percent.
─ Vaccination is still the best means to avoid a severe COVID-19 infection, reminds the chair of the situation assessment workgroup Tuula Karhula.
─ In the past month, up to one fourth of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital have been unvaccinated. Vaccinations are offered at various locations within the municipalities of the region, also without an appointment. We recommend vaccinations to everyone who has not yet taken them for one reason or another.
Avoiding the virus is everyone’s own responsibility – public events still pose a risk of infection
The remote working and conferencing recommendation will remain valid in South Karelia until the end of April. The use of a mask is also strongly recommended in situations where it is difficult to avoid close contact. The mask recommendation applies to all persons aged 12 or older in public indoor premises and in public transport, including school transport.
No other restrictions are currently valid in the region, but the situation assessment workgroup recommends that all residents assume responsibility for their own health, as well as for the health of their family members and close friends when they attend public events.
The next meeting of the regional COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup will be held on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
Additional information for the media:
Tuula Karhula, chair of the situation assessment workgroup, tel. +358 40 194 4936, [email protected]
The South Karelian COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup includes representatives of the South Karelia Social and Health Care District, the municipalities, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Regional State Administrative Agency, and the local ELY Centre. In addition to the number of and the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the severity of the epidemic situation depends, e.g., on the traceability of infection chains and whether the virus was acquired within or from outside the region. The epidemic situation can change rapidly locally or regionally, even when the national situation is stable. The local COVID-19 situation assessment workgroup meets every other week, unless more frequent meetings are required.
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