Over 70 Coronavirus Infections Detected among International Students in Higher Education in Turku
Several coronavirus infections have been detected in Turku among international exchange students. At least a few hundred people have been exposed to coronavirus. The situation is very serious.
City of Turku communicable disease authorities have been tracking chains of infection. Tracking work is still ongoing. The number of infections and exposures is likely to increase still.
Significant infection clusters have been detected in the following locations:
- Turku Student Village, several locations on both the eastern and western side
- Retrodom in Luolavuori, owned by the City of Turku
- Student apartments of Turku Student Village in Krööpilänkatu, Varissuo
Persons who have tested positive for coronavirus have also been to the following locations
- Old Irish Bar on 6 March
- Espresso House Hansa on 7 March
- Educarium Campus Sport Gym on 11 March
- Turku Student Village sauna on 11 March
- Turku International School on 12 March
– We discovered the seriousness of the situation yesterday. Infections and exposures have occurred widely for instance in shared housing for students, where the virus spreads easily, says Chief Physician for Infectious Diseases Jutta Peltoniemi.
University takes the matter seriously
Rector Jukka Kola of the University of Turku says that the University is taking the matter very seriously. The University of Turku and Turku University of Applied Sciences communicated the matter in collaboration with the health officials on 17 March. A remote info session was organised for the international students in the morning of 18 March, where the representatives of the higher education institutions, health officials, and Police spoke about the situation and answered students’ questions.
The University has implemented strict safety measures against the coronavirus for a long time, and has actively communicated both in Finnish and English on the coronavirus situation and on observing the safety measures to the entire community. Targeted coronavirus communications have also been directed at the international students continuously. Kola highlights that most international students have followed the coronavirus instructions well.
– Now we have to direct all our efforts towards stopping the infection chains and ensuring that those who are infected or have been exposed to the virus remain in quarantine and receive the necessary food supplies and other essential services to their home. The situation can be solved only with good collaboration between the higher education institutions and students, the City, authorities, and other actors, says Kola.
The University’s coronavirus management team will decide on further measures at the University on 19 March.
Mutated virus variant that spreads easily
It seems that the infections have been caused by a mutated virus variant which spreads easily. That is why it is crucial that all adults comply with coronavirus recommendations and restrictions. Contacts between adults must be minimised.
If you suspect that you have become exposed to coronavirus in the epidemic cluster of international students, you must self-isolate and get tested. The same applies in situations where someone in shared housing tests positive for coronavirus.
– All adults need to take responsibility in this situation. Nobody can afford to think that others will sort this out. Everyone must behave responsibly – the time is now, Peltoniemi states.
The coronavirus prevention bus offers coronavirus testing in the Student Village on Saturday 20 March and Sunday 21 March between 11 am and 2 pm at Inspehtoorinkatu 3 C. The bus offers testing free of charge without a referral. The Finnish Red Cross supports this work.
Enhanced communication to exchange students
All higher education institutions in Turku have informed exchange students about coronavirus and instructions related to the virus through their own channels ever since the beginning of the pandemic.
Enhanced communication will now be directed towards international students both higher education institution specifically and for all through channels of the Study in Turku network. A remote information session was also organised for international students on Thursday 18 March.
Information and warnings have been attached on the noticed boards and in shared facilities of the Student Village.
More information:
Chief Physician for Infectious Diseases Jutta Peltoniemi
City of Turku
jutta.peltoniemi@turku.fi
tel. +358 40 595 3682
> Earlier on the topic: Several Coronavirus Infections among Students in Turku (17 March)
> University’s instructions on the coronavirus situation
> Coronavirus Q&A for exchange students
Please send any further inquiries and questions primarily by email to koronainfo@utu.fi.