Aerial view of Honkajoki Cooperative School: Martti Tikka
The COVID situation in PoSa has deteriorated rapidly, today 2 coronavirus infections have been detected at Honkajoki Cooperative School. The infection is a follow-up infection from an infection that was previously detected. PoSa and the hospital district's infectious disease authorities, in cooperation with the Honkajoki and Kankaanpää educational services, have identified people who have been exposed to the infection. The contagious period begins two days before the onset of symptoms, and therefore contacts have had to be identified between 23-25.11.20. Infection tracing has been started and all those exposed are being contacted. There are many exposed people in both the middle school and upper secondary school, and from the perspective of organizing teaching, it has been considered sensible to move the entire cooperative school to distance learning. Teachers and other staff have worn masks and have not been exposed.
Those exposed will be quarantined for 10 days from the last day of exposure. Since the information about the exposure was only received today, the quarantine period for most people is November 26.11-December 6.12.20, XNUMX.
The school has been in contact with the school's students via Wilma message and written quarantine instructions are also being sent to those exposed using the same route. PoSa's infection tracers are trying to contact all those placed in quarantine by phone in person no later than tomorrow, November 27.11.20, XNUMX, some have been reached already today.
Elementary school grades 1-5 have not been exposed and will continue with face-to-face instruction and school transportation will be organized as usual.
The quarantine does not apply to the family members of the exposed person and they are allowed to move around normally. However, if the person ordered to quarantine becomes ill, they must be taken for a test and in that case the 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. 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 26.11.20
Margit Seppälä
PoSa's infectious disease specialist
Anu Sorvali
PoSa infectious disease nurse