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COVID-19 English
COVID-19 en, sivun pääkuva
Information about the coronavirus
COVID-19 – Information on the coronavirus
In December 2019, several cases of pneumonia were reported in China and a novel, previously unknown coronavirus was identified as the cause of the outbreak.
The coronavirus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces.
The virus has spread across the world. As we have seen in many other countries, the Government in Finland has also issued measures to control the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
In order to contain the epidemic, the City of Joensuu follows the Government’s policies as well as the instructions given by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and Siun sote, which is the party responsible for healthcare services in North Karelia.
Do you believe you might have the coronavirus?
According to current information, the symptoms of the disease caused by the coronavirus include high fever, cough and shortness of breath. The disease is also associated with muscle pain, fatigue, flu, nausea and diarrhoea.
If you believe you might have the coronavirus, you should start by completing the Omaolo symptom check-up online (available in Finnish and English).
If you meet certain criteria, the Omaolo service will instruct you to call the emergency helpline on 116 117. Healthcare professionals will evaluate your situation and give you further instructions.
If you cannot access the online service, call the emergency helpline on 116 117 or contact your health centre.
Always call in advance before visiting a health centre or emergency clinic! During the coronavirus epidemic, the treatment of patients with infectious diseases is performed at designated health centres. Patients with infectious diseases in the Joensuu region are treated at the Siilainen health centre and patients in the Eno region are treated in Kontiolahti. You will be provided with instructions on the phone.
The latest guidelines can be found online at www.siunsote.fi/corona/en.
Updated guidance: What to do if a child develops a respiratory infection?
Do not leave your underlying conditions unattended
Siun sote is well prepared for the coronavirus epidemic and it is safe to access the health centres and other services of Siun sote. Services and appointments are available and an increasing number of services can be provided on the phone or as a remote appointment. Non-urgent services for people who belong in high-risk groups can also be arranged.
You should not leave your underlying conditions or other issues and problems unattended because of the coronavirus. If you have any questions, please contact the healthcare service provider or social services.
Express your concern
If you feel worried about the health, care or safety of someone, you can submit a report. Everyone can submit a report, which is designed for non-urgent matters only. Based on your report, social service professionals will assess the need for support and determine what type of help can be provided to the person or family.
Reports can be submitted online on the Miunpalvelut.fi website. You can also call social services (tel. +358 (0)13 330 2810) or Senior Consultation Service Ankkuri.
Recommendation for the use of face masks
The recommendation for the use of face masks applies to people over 15 years of age and varies from region to region depending on the epidemic situation. Uptodate information on the mask recommendation in the regions of North Karelia and Heinävesi can be found on the Siun sote website www.siunsote.fi/korona.
Everyone is responsible for procuring face masks themselves, but one’s financial situation must not be an obstacle to complying with the recommendation. You can get a face mask from a distribution point and being a customer of the of the social services is not required.
Mask distribution points:
Joensuu city centre area:
Rantakatu 23 (social services), 80100 Joensuu
Mon–Fri 9–12
Eno service point:
Kunnantie 2, 81200 Eno
Mon–Thu 9–11 and 12–13
Pyhäselkä service point:
Lastaustie 2, 82200 Hammaslahti
Mon–Thu 9–11 and 12–13
Kiihtelysvaara service point:
Aprakkatie 2, 82140 Kiihtelysvaara
Mon–Thu 10–11 and 12–14
Tuupovaara service point:
Virastotie 10, 82730 Tuupovaara
Mon–Thu 9–11 and 12–13
Advice on face masks is provided for the elderly at the distribution points and on the Senior Consultation Service Ankkuri, tel. +358 13 330 2890 every weekday 8–16.
COVID-19 – Safety guidelines
Safety guidelines
Looking after each other – Keep these safety guidelines in mind when accessing our services
The services provided by the City of Joensuu will be gradually re-opened from 1 June onwards. Although the pandemic has been relatively calm in the Joensuu region and North Karelia, we must continue to follow the instructions and restrictions provided and issued in order to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Please remember to pay attention to the already familiar instructions: wash your hands, keep a safe distance from others, cover your mouth when you cough and stay home if you feel ill.
Certain services may have specific guidelines in addition to these general instructions.
Reserve enough time
Some services might have exceptional business hours. The number of customers served might be limited in order to ensure safety. Reserve enough time and follow the guidelines provided.
Stay home if you are not healthy
If you have any symptoms that indicate that you might be ill, you should stay home. The symptoms of a coronavirus infection include cough, sore throat, high fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, stomach issues and headache.
Keep a safe distance
Maintain a distance of 1–2 metres between others.
Wash your hands and use a hand sanitiser
Wash your hands carefully with plenty of water and soap always before eating or cooking, when you enter a building, after going to the toilet and after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. Use hand sanitiser if it is not possible to wash your hands.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if you have not washed your hands immediately before this.
Cough into a handkerchief or your sleeve
If you need to cough or sneeze, place a disposable handkerchief in front of your mouth and put it in a bin immediately after using it. If you do not have any handkerchiefs, cover your mouth with your elbow. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
Use special discretion if you belong to a high-risk group
If you belong to a high-risk group, you should continue avoiding personal contacts, public events and spending time in public spaces. The decision is up to you: all of us need to consider what is wise in terms of our health.
People who belong to high-risk groups should pay particularly close attention to these safety guidelines.