Due to the worsening coronavirus situation, Soite’s infection tracking is changing – infection tracking sends notifications via text messages to infected persons
In the Soite area, the infection tracking is under a heavy workload due to the spread of the omicron variant. There is currently a steep increase in the daily number of new cases. Until now, those who have tested positive for coronavirus in a laboratory test have been called by Soite. Now there are so many people who have tested positive that they can no longer be called. From today onwards, a text message will be sent by the infection tracking to those infected in the Soite area. The text message provides short instructions for what to do and instructions for when to contact Soite.
Infected people should avoid close contact with other people for at least 10 days. Those with mild symptoms do not need to contact Soite’s infection unit after this if they have had two asymptomatic days before the end of their isolation.
If your symptoms are mild and you do not belong to a risk group, you can stay at home while sick. If you are infected with coronavirus and have risk factors related to blood clotting, you should contact the infectious disease nurse (phone 040 804 2781). You should also contact the infectious disease nurse if you work within the social and health care services and have been at work during the 48 hours before your symptoms begin.
The use of the BuddyCare app for following the condition of persons in quarantine will also be discontinued.
When you get sick:
- Avoid close contact with others.
- When you have a confirmed coronavirus infection, stay at home for at least 10 days. If you still have symptoms on the 10th day call an infectious diseases nurse 040 804 2781
- Asymptomatic means that the fever is gone and other symptoms are clearly decreasing. If the only symptom is a change in sense of smell or taste, or a slight dry cough, there is no need to continue the isolation.
- If you work in health care or care for the elderly, you must follow the instructions given by your employer.
- If you live in an apartment building, do not use the common areas of the house when you are ill.
- When you are sick, rest and an adequate intake of liquids (2.5 litres/day) is important. Alcohol should be avoided. Fever and aches can be relieved with over-the-counter medication that can be bought at the pharmacy without a prescription.
- Be mindful of good hand and coughing hygiene.
- Observe your condition and if needed, call:
- Soite’s coronavirus helpline, phone 06 828 7499, open every day 8 am to 4 pm
- Outside of phone hours, please contact us as follows:
- Adults, people over the age of 16 who are sick: Soite’s common emergency clinic, phone 116 117
- Persons under the age of 16 who are sick: Soite’s paediatric emergency clinic, phone 06 826 4444. Open around the clock 24/7.
All home care instructions, instructions for isolation and treatment instructions for those infected can be found on Soite’s coronavirus website: https://korona.soite.fi/en/treating-coronavirus-infection-at-home/
Visits at Soite’s units
As the epidemic situation worsens, we would like to remind everyone of the safety guidelines for visits. Unnecessary visits at the central hospital should be avoided.
At the central hospital’s wards and at departments of general medicine, visits during visiting hours are allowed in groups of max 2–3 people. Coronavirus safety must be observed.
During visits to hospital wards and residential units, you should follow the special guidelines regarding these (in Finnish) (THL). Check the unit’s current restrictions before visiting.
Using home tests
We also recommend that you make use of coronavirus home tests before visiting friends and family. Correctly performed antigen home tests are a good supplement when testing for coronavirus. A positive result from a home test should be confirmed with a coronavirus test performed by health care professionals. Additional information about coronavirus home tests can be found on the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s website
Vaccinations
It is especially important to take the coronavirus vaccine now that the quickly spreading omicron variant is present in the area, as the vaccine protects you from serious forms of coronavirus disease in particular. Please take the coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible if you have not yet done so, or if you have not yet taken the booster vaccine doses.
Vaccinations are given mainly during walk-in vaccination days without appointment booking, which means you can come to a coronavirus vaccination when it suits you best.
Additional information and the timetable for the walk-in days can be found on Soite’s coronavirus website: https://korona.soite.fi/en/the-coronavirus-vaccines/