A situational update concerning COVID-19 in Soite’s area – fourth doses are offered from week 35 to persons over the age of 18 who belong to a risk group

The regional coronavirus situation

Coronavirus infections are still common in Soite’s area, but the number of cases is slightly decreasing based on Soite’s official tests. At the moment, it is difficult to assess what the exact number of infections is as a majority of those who have become ill confirm their infection through a home test, as is recommended.

Approximately 800 coronavirus tests are done weekly in Soite. Last week, 29% of these were positive. A majority of the samples that are sent for further examination, sequencing, are of the coronavirus variant Omicron BA.5.

At the moment, 15 patients with COVID-19 are cared for at the hospital. No patients with COVID-19 are currently in intensive care.

The antiviral medication Paxlovid, developed to treat COVID-19 infections, has been in used in Soite since the beginning of July. Paxlovid is only administered to nationally established target groups. The target groups of Paxlovid treatment differ from the usual risk groups regarding COVID-19 infections. The drug is free for patients, and the decision on Paxlovid treatment is always made by a physician. Before starting the treatment, the COVID-19 infection must be verified with an official PCR test. Please contact Soite’s coronavirus helpline 06 828 7499 (open Monday-Friday 8 AM – 4 PM) if you belong to the target group of the medication and have a recent positive result from a coronavirus test.  More information on the target groups for the medication can be found on Soite’s coronavirus pages:

Preventing infections:

• Take the coronavirus vaccines. They protect you against the severe forms of the disease.
• If you become ill, stay at home until you are healthy. If needed, do a home test. More information on Soite’s coronavirus website: Instructions for when you suspect a coronavirus infection.
• Remember the hygiene: hands, mask, safe distances and ventilation.

It is recommended that you continue to use masks in indoor public spaces and on public transport if:

• you seek treatment or a test because of suspected COVID-19 infection
• you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, but you need to move outside your home
• you know that you have been exposed to the coronavirus for example if someone in your family has been diagnosed with an infection, but you are not able to avoid close contacts outside your home.
• you visit a social or health care unit or a ward
• you belong to a risk group and are in a place where close contact cannot be avoided

PLEASE NOTE! Please visit Soite’s units and wards only if you are healthy. We recommend using a face mask when visiting wards.

Coronavirus vaccinations

Soite expands fourth coronavirus vaccinations from week 35 (starting on 29th of August 2022) to persons over the age of 18 who belong to a risk group for severe coronavirus disease. Fourth vaccine doses are still also given to all persons over the age of 60 and other persons who have a right to a fourth vaccine dose. More information on the age groups that have a right to a vaccination and information on vaccination intervals is found on the Coronavirus vaccination page.

Please note! A person who has had COVID-19 and has received three vaccine doses does not need a fourth vaccine dose, as an infection equals one vaccine dose. 

In Soite’s area, you may seek out coronavirus vaccinations by booking an appointment or by going to a walk-in vaccination. Additional information and the timetable for the walk-in days can be found on Soite’s coronavirus website: Coronavirus vaccination.

If you like, you may book an appointment for a coronavirus vaccination in the Omahoito service in DigiSoite https://soite.terveytesi.fi/ or by phone on the number 06 828 7488 (telephone hours Monday-Friday 9 AM – 3 PM). You can also book an appointment via your own health care centre.

You may have to wait at the coronavirus vaccination site and we, therefore, ask for your patience. You may go for a coronavirus vaccination to any of Soite’s vaccination sites.

If you become ill

We recommend home testing for everyone who has symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, a head cold or a cough. We recommend doing the home test again after a few days if the symptoms of respiratory infection persist. Home tests are also suitable for testing children. The result from a home test is more reliable if the test is repeated several days in a row or with 2-3 day intervals.

Persons of all ages may seek out coronavirus testing in Soite if needed. Please contact Soite’s coronavirus helpline 06 828 7499 (open Monday-Friday 8 AM – 4 PM) or fill in the symptom checker in the Omaolo service.

You will find more information on the criteria for when to seek out coronavirus testing in Soite on the website: Instructions for when you suspect a coronavirus infection.

Soite will change its praxis concerning text messages about positive coronavirus test results from September. From then on, Soite will only send one automated text message about a coronavirus test result. The message will contain a link to home care instructions for COVID-19. Please read the instructions carefully if your test result is positive.

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