The Satakunta Regional Infectious Disease Control Working Group (ATTR) met on 21.1.2021 January 31.1.2021 and concluded that Satakunta is epidemiologically at a baseline level, but the risk of entering a re-escalation phase is quite high. The working group recommended that municipalities continue with the previous recommendations and restrictions until XNUMX January XNUMX.
The municipal leaders of the North Satakunta region, the management team of the City of Kankaanpää, and Margit Seppälä, the chief physician responsible for infectious diseases at PoSa, assessed the situation for the entire North Satakunta region at a meeting held on Friday, January 22.1.2021, XNUMX. It was jointly stated that the working group's recommendation would be followed in the region and the restrictions would remain unchanged.
According to ATTR, the measures will likely be continued and will be reassessed at a meeting on Thursday, January 28.1.2021, 29.1.2021. For North Satakunta, the next situation review will be made on Friday, January XNUMX, XNUMX, when the matter will be announced again.
Concerns about the conversion virus and infections among guest workers, attention should be paid to break rooms
In Satakunta, the incidence is still low nationwide, but it has been on a slight rise. In the North Satakunta region, no new coronavirus infections have occurred since Christmas, but there have been some exposures.
The possible spread of the mutant virus and infections among foreign guest workers are worrying. According to Margit Seppälä, Chief Physician of the Finnish Health and Social Services, it would be a good idea for employers to require negative samples from workers coming from abroad.
According to ATTR, workplaces should pay special attention to arrangements in cafeterias and dining situations where masks cannot be worn. Safety distances should be sufficient (preferably more than 2 meters) and the space arrangements should be such that exposure does not occur. Meal breaks should be staggered and groups should be kept separate. This can help avoid the spread of infections and quarantines in workplaces.
Restrictions remain unchanged
According to the working group's recommendations, the current restrictions will remain unchanged throughout the entire North Satakunta region. Early childhood education and basic education units will continue to operate normally, following mask recommendations. Upper secondary schools will also continue with face-to-face teaching.
Public spaces are open with restrictions, meaning the number of people in the spaces at one time is limited to half of normal, and hygiene recommendations and safety distances are taken into account when using the spaces. Some services may be out of service.
Restrictions on recreational activities will also remain unchanged. Recreational activities for children and young people can continue with the current restrictions for those under 20 years of age, and group recreational activities for adults can be carried out indoors in groups of up to 10 people. ATTR will consider next week whether the group size can be increased to 20 people, provided that precautions can be followed.
The Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Central Finland (AVI) has also continued its guidelines, according to which public events and general meetings with a maximum of 20 people can be organised indoors and in regionally delimited outdoor spaces, provided that safety can be ensured by following the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education and Culture on hygiene recommendations and safety distances. The regulation is currently valid until 23.2.2021 February XNUMX.
The recommendation to limit the number of people at private events to 10 people remains unchanged, as do the recommendations regarding the use of masks, remote working, and travel.
Continue to take care of hygiene, get tested immediately if you have symptoms
To limit the spread of the epidemic, the following important measures must still be remembered: wearing a mask, good hand and cough hygiene, safe distances, reducing contact and unnecessary movement. Downloading the Koronavilkku application to your phone is highly recommended.
You should seek a corona test as soon as mild symptoms appear. In Kankaanpää, call the PoSa flu clinic immediately at tel. 02 577 3265, where you will receive a sample collection time and arrival instructions. The flu clinic's telephone advice is open Mon-Fri 8 am-16 pm and Sat-Sun 9 am-13 pm.
In other PoSa municipalities, the phone number is 040 652 4340. Corona testing is available in other member municipalities by appointment and agreement.
Symptom assessment can also be done omaolo.fi –service, where you can get instructions.
Monitoring the situation
The situation is still being actively monitored in all municipalities in Northern Satakunta, and officials are in constant contact with the health authorities. If necessary, we will react quickly in accordance with the instructions given by the authorities.
More detailed instructions specific to each municipality can be found on the municipalities' own websites.
Municipal residents are also recommended to follow the information from PoSa and Satasairaala on the subject:
Additional information
Margit Seppälä, Chief Physician, North Satakunta Joint Municipal Authority for Basic Services
044 577 3200, [email protected]
Mika Hatanpää, Mayor, City of Kankaanpää
044 577 2210, [email protected]
Markus Ojakoski, Mayor, Jämijärvi Municipality
040 509 4542, [email protected]
Tarja Hosiasluoma, Mayor, Karvia Municipality
040 022 1900, [email protected]
Jari Rantala, Mayor, Pomarkku Municipality
040 582 4242, [email protected]
Viveka Lanne, Mayor, Siikainen Municipality
044 720 1071, [email protected]