Satakunta wellbeing county: mask recommendation for Satakunta on 31 March

Satakunta wellbeing county: mask recommendation for Satakunta on 31 March

The winter epidemic season is still active, but vaccination has reduced the disease burden – diagnostics are concentrated on hospital and inpatient patients and those at risk

The winter epidemic season is still active. Currently, around 20% of respiratory tract samples taken in Satakunta detect the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 infection. The number of coronaviruses has also been on the rise again in Finnish sewage samples. The influenza A virus epidemic is waning, but cases of influenza B virus are on the rise. The RS virus also continues to cause epidemics. At the same time, other viruses that cause the common flu are also circulating.

With vaccination, the need for hospitalisation due to coronavirus and influenza is currently relatively low. However, these viruses also cause serious illness in patients at risk. Active efforts are being made to combat ward outbreaks.

Testing will be targeted at hospital and inpatient patients with infectious diseases and at patients in high-risk groups who are being considered for targeted treatment of coronavirus or influenza.

Healthcare resources are limited. Therefore, testing will continue to be targeted at infectious patients in need of hospital and inpatient care. Samples are also taken from patients in high-risk groups who benefit from targeted drug treatment.

No more extensive testing of social and health care workers

Home testing is recommended for infectious disease-prone social care staff. A negative home test does not rule out coronavirus or influenza with certainty, but a positive result can be considered reliable.

During acute respiratory symptoms, contact with patients/risk group residents and other staff should be avoided.

Depending on the situation and in agreement with the supervisor, during acute symptoms, either sick leave is taken or, if the condition and the workload allow, teleworking may be used

If the symptoms are very mild and the home test is negative, work may be carried out with good hand hygiene and using FFP2/3 protection.

When can you return to work, school or daycare after Covid-19?

According to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) guidelines, you can return to work when your symptoms have clearly subsided and your fever is gone. This usually takes 3-5 days. Post-infection irritation or nasal congestion is not a barrier to returning to everyday life. Workplaces may have their own guidelines. It is advisable to take advantage of teleworking where possible.

The child can go to school or daycare when the symptoms have clearly subsided, the fever is gone and the child is well enough to attend classes or early childhood education.

In viral infections, infectiousness declines rapidly after the onset of symptoms, even if the cold or cough persists for a longer period.

If a health or social care worker with Covid-19 returns to work before 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, they should wear a ventless FFP2/3 respirator in all contacts at work until 5 days have passed since the onset of symptoms and symptoms have been absent for 2 days.

Guidance for patients and visitors of healthcare facilities

Patients in high-risk groups are still advised to wear disposable face masks when visiting healthcare facilities. If you are coming for a planned visit to the hospital and have acute symptoms of respiratory infection, please contact the nursing unit by telephone before coming to the hospital.

Visitors are advised to wear disposable mouth-nose protection when visiting patient rooms in adult somatic wards, control and intensive care units or the emergency department. Masks do not need to be worn in corridors, public lobbies or appointment clinics.

In elderly care facilities, visitors are still recommended to wear a mask in areas where several residents are present. In private areas of the home, the elderly person’s wishes regarding the use of a mask will be respected.