The COVID situation in PoSa has rapidly deteriorated over the past two days. At a meeting held today, attended by the leaders of the municipalities of Northern Satakunta, the authorities responsible for infectious diseases in PoSa and the doctor responsible for infectious diseases in the Satakunta Hospital District, the area was found to have entered the spreading phase.

In the last 14 days, 14 COVID infections have been detected, of which 12 results were received yesterday and today. The sources of the infections are known and they are mainly related to two chains of infection.

The situation involves several mass exposures. Last week, information was released about exposures that occurred at the restaurant Haraka in Honkajoki and at the Matinsuo village hall in Karvia.

New confirmed cases have led to several mass exposures between November 23-25.11.2020, 2 (COVID can be contagious XNUMX days before symptoms start)

• Two kindergarten groups and 6 employees in quarantine at a kindergarten in Kankaanpää
  • The exposed employees and children at the daycare center have been quarantined, but otherwise early childhood education is operating normally.
• 5 quarantined at Honkajoki high school and middle school quarantines are currently being contacted
  • In Honkajoki, the middle school and high school have switched to distance learning. Teachers and other staff have worn masks and have not been exposed. The school has been in contact with the school's students via Wilma message and quarantine instructions have been sent to those who have been exposed.
  • 18 people have been exposed and quarantined at Sählykoulu
• 18 people exposed in a volleyball match at the Pomarkku municipal sports facility
• COVID cases have been identified at Attendo's care home Villa Rauhala in Honkajoki and Anna home in Karvia, leading to an extensive investigation in cooperation with Satasairaala.

Staff at Villa Rauhala and Karvia Anna Home have been found to be ill and all those exposed have been quarantined, work arrangements are being made and sufficient nursing staff are being secured. So far, the residents are healthy. COVID samples were taken from all residents and staff today and the results will be available by the evening. Based on the results, the necessary further measures are being prepared and everything possible is being done to protect the residents, intervals are not being arranged for the time being, and no new residents are being taken in. Relatives have been informed of the matter and a visitation ban has been imposed on the nursing homes.

Those exposed will be quarantined for 10 days from the last day of exposure. For most people, the quarantine period is 25.11.- 5.12.20 or 26.11.- 6.12.20. Those who are sick will receive an isolation decision.

Family members of those who are sick are quarantined, but exposed family members of those who are quarantined cannot spread the infection and are allowed to move around normally. However, if the quarantined person becomes sick, they must be tested and in that case, family members must wait at home for the test results.

The most common incubation period for coronavirus infection is around 4-5 days, but it varies between 1-10 days. If the exposed person has even minor symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, loss of smell or taste, or in some cases diarrhea it is important to apply for the test quickly.

There is no reason to test asymptomatic people except when investigating the possible spread of the epidemic in nursing homes. This activity is supervised by an infectious disease physician. Testing cannot shorten the quarantine period.

If you have even mild symptoms suggestive of coronavirus infection, complete a symptom assessment at omaolo.fi or call the flu clinic at 02 577 3265. When the health center is closed, you can call the emergency telephone advice service of Satasairaala Hospital at 116 117.

In Kankaanpää 27.11.20

Margit Seppälä

PoSa's infectious disease specialist

 

Raija Uusitalo-Seppälä

Chief infectious disease physician at Sata Hospital and physician responsible for infectious diseases at Satakunta Hospital District