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If you suspect coronavirus infection, follow these steps

Symptoms of a coronavirus may include, for example, cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache, shortness of breath, diarrhea, or loss of sense of smell and taste. If you have one or more of these symptoms, contact the health services by calling:

• Call occupational health care, the health care counselling service on 03 10023 or +358 3 5657 0023 (every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.), your own health centre or student health care
  
• Outside health services’ regular opening hours, please call the corona counselling service phone at Tampere University Hospital: 03 3116 5333 (open every day 24 hours).
• You will be provided with instructions for seeking treatment over the phone.
  

You can assess your need for treatment by filling in the symptom assessment form in the Omaolo service at External linkOmaolo: COVID-19 symptom check-up service . The service is available in English and also in Finnish and Swedish.

If you have respiratory symptoms, do not go directly to a health centre or emergency service but always call first.

A pandemic clinic currently operates in Tampere by appointment. It is only focused on treating patients with respiratory symptoms. Other urgent matters are handled at health centres as usual. Children are treated at the children’s emergency services at Tampere University Hospital or the pandemic clinic depending on the assessment of the need for treatment. It is extremely important that you do not visit the pandemic clinic without first booking an appointment and receiving instructions via telephone.

If your coronavirus disease has been confirmed, you will be prescribed isolation. Follow the instructions exactly. You can be isolated in your home, in which case there should only be people from the same household, no visitors. If you feel unwell, call the telephone number provided with the isolation instructions. The duration of isolation is at least 7 days, but always at least throughout the symptomatic period and 1 - 2 asymptomatic days. Isolation must not be stopped by yourself, but it is always stopped by infectious disease professionals.

For general information on the coronavirus, please contact the national telephone advice line: 0295 535 535, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can find up-to-date information on the National Institute for Health and Welfare’s (THL) website:

Protect yourself and others

The coronavirus primarily spreads by droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When in close proximity to others, coronavirus can also be transmitted via contact if, for example, an infected person coughs in his hands and then touches another person.

Everyone can slow down the spread of coronavirus with their own actions. In everyday life you can reduce infection risk by

• following good hand, coughing and sneezing hygiene
• keeping a safety distance of at least 1 to 2 metres from other people
• wearing a face mask if you cannot keep a safe distance from others
• getting tested, if you have any symptoms that suggest a coronavirus infection.

Face masks

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has issued a recommendation that urges citizens to use face masks to protect other people. It is recommended to wear a face mask for instance when you use public transport or when you are on your way to take a coronavirus test.

The responsibility to purchase masks falls mainly on residents themselves. Low-income residents of Tampere can collect free face masks for instance from the following distribution points:

• Distribution Point for Medical Supplies , Kuninkaankatu 14–16, opening hours: Mon, Tue and Thu 8–16, Wed 8–18 and Fri 8–14.
• Counselling Point of social services , Hatanpäänkatu 3 J, opening hours: Mon, Thu 9–15 and Tue, Wed and Fri 9–14.
• Kototori, Hervanta Leisure Centre, Lindforsinkatu 5 (2nd floor), opening hours: Tue and Fri 10–12 and 13–16.
  

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