About coronavirus

Updated 15.10.2020

Prevent infection

The virus can be transmitted in close contact from person to person through droplet transmission during coughing and sneezing, and by contact from surfaces via hands. In general, avoid close contact with other people, as most sufferers are either completely asymptomatic or mild.

Always keep a clean mask with you. Use the mask in public areas and maintain safe social distances of 1-2 metres. This is a strong recommendation for everyone over 15-years-old.

Maintain good hand hygiene. Don´t touch the eyes, nose or mouth. Use an alcoholic hand sanitiser.

Keep an amount of flu medication at home. Cough and sneeze into a disposable tissue and immediately place it in a bin. If you don´t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.

When arriving from abroad, arrange an absence (10 days recommended) with your work, school or daycare centre.

Older people and those with underlying conditions are particularly susceptible to coronavirus. Seasonal influenza is also circulating in Finland at present, with symptoms very similar to those of coronavirus infection.

For general advice on coronavirus, consult the national coronavirus hotline on 0295 535 535.

Do this:

Take a coronavirus symptom assessment test online at Omaolo.fi if you have symptoms and feelings suggestive of corona. If necessary, call your local health station.

If you have even mild symptoms of a respiratory infection such as runny nose, cough, sore throat, muscle aches or fever, and/or lose your sense of smell and/or taste, stay at home and call your local health station for an assessment of the need for treatment and possible corona testing.

Call your health station if you suspect a coronavirus infection

If you suspect a coronavirus infection and have been in a CLEAR RISK OF EXPOSURE, e.g. at a place where infections or exposures have been reported, call your health station for possible testing, even if the flu symptoms are only mild, and avoid social contact. You can get further instructions by phone from the health centre. Don´t come to the health centre to infect others.

Gerby Health Centre, tel. 06 325 1711
Kirkkopuistikko Health Centre, tel. 06 325 1666
Ristinummi Health Centre, tel. 06 325 1691
Tammikaivo Health Centre,  tel. 06 325 1703 or 06 325 1770
Vähäkyrö Health Centre, tel. 06 325 8500

Other times you can call the national emergency number 116 117. NOTE! This number is for people with severe symptoms only.

Treatment of coronavirus infections

The testing of patients showing mild symptoms and those returning from travel should only be taken at the discretion of the doctor. Asymptomatic cases are not tested.

Infections are diagnosed at Vaasa Central Hospital, which decides on the patient’s place of treatment. The infected person is placed in home isolation unless they need hospital treatment. People in close contact with the infected person are also placed in home quarantine for 10 days. This prevents the virus from spreading. Home quarantine is decided by the doctors of the Vaasa Hospital District.

The guardian of a child under the age of 16 who is assigned to home quarantine stays at home to care for the child. A sickness allowance is given for periods of quarantine due to infectious disease. More information can be found on Kela’s website.

During the home quarantine and isolation you must stay at home. You cannot go shopping or go out for hobbies etc.

General instructions for those exposed to the coronavirus.

Information on educational activity is given through Wilma

The education sector will monitor the situation and the advice given by the health authorities. In schools and early childhood education centres, preventive activities, such as careful hand washing and hygiene have been encouraged.

The guardians of schoolchildren and early childhood children will be informed on developments through Wilma and vaasa.fi.

Monitor coronavirus updates

Residents are also advised to follow the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) bulletins and follow THL guidelines. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare website.

Vaasa Hospital District
Twitter: @THLorg
Coronavirus Information in Finnish Sign Language (THL)
Coronavirus – Latest Updates (THL)
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Latest updates