Of the large cities, relatively fewer infections have been reported in Vaasa and most in Oulu. However, the situation in Oulu is not necessarily the most difficult in Finland.
Nearly In all Finnish cities, the coronavirus situation continues to worsen. In the last two weeks, about 15,000 coronary infections have been diagnosed throughout Finland.
The relative number of infections The curves have risen sharply in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Oulu and Turku, for example.
Vaasa is an exception among the various cities in Finland. After the peak in September, the incidence curve has remained quite low.
“Yes, it feels pretty nice to see that we have the lowest incidence among the 20 largest cities,” says the chief physician of the city of Vaasa. Heikki Kaukoranta.
The situation at Vaasa Central Hospital has been good. Throughout the autumn, there have been only a few intensive care patients and a maximum of three inpatients.
Where from is the success due to? The regional variation in the epidemic explains part of that, says Kaukoranta.
“We in Vaasa have invested very heavily in tracing infections, and the positive ones are practically contacted within a maximum of half a day of receiving the test result.”
Vaasa also continues to quarantine schoolchildren by educational groups.
In addition, there is a guideline in force throughout the hospital district that vaccinated people should apply for tests for even mild symptoms. Kaukoranta would recommend this to other cities as well.
“I would return testing to all groups of people when symptoms of a respiratory infection occur. And I would try to provide easy ways to apply for testing. ”
In Vaasa, for example, there is a testing point in the city center without an appointment.
Of course, investing in tracking and extensive testing are out of the question, says senior chief physician Heikki Kaukoranta. “When well cared for, this also allows other health care and specialist care to work.”
Enlarge Of the cities, the highest number of infections has been detected recently in Oulu. However, it cannot be concluded that the situation in the city would be the most difficult in Finland.
“Our incidence has risen at a staggering pace for many weeks in a row, but until last week it was not reflected in our hospital workload,” says Oulu’s health director. Jorma Mäkitalo.
According to Mäkitalo, almost half of Oulu infections are diagnosed in people under the age of 19, and most of the infections come from families.
Actions were taken in Oulu about three weeks ago. Restrictions on restaurant operations and public events have begun, and the mask recommendation has been tightened slightly.
“A little afraid we can’t stand such high numbers. Like we didn’t last. ”
Situation changed over the weekend, says Mäkitalo.
“The hospital load seemed to jump to a new level.”
There are currently 25 coronavirus patients at Oulu University Hospital, compared to less than 20 in the long term. There are 11 patients in the ward in Oulu, compared to about 6 so far.
Mäkitalo is quite satisfied with the vaccination coverage in Oulu. In the city, 81.6 percent of people over the age of 12 have received two doses of the vaccine.
Mäkitalon According to Oulu, it is also necessary to assess the extent to which it is worth returning to test practices such as Vaasa. However, test numbers are already at last winter’s level.
“We have kind of trapped ourselves,” says Mäkitalo.
“Once the incidence has gotten this high, the number of tests required is really high. This results in a huge number of positive cases and a huge follow-up contract. ”
If you have a positive result, you may have to wait up to five days in Oulu to contact us, despite the additional resources.
“Now we’re fighting it.”
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