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What should you do if you have symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 typically triggers a sudden respiratory infection, with the severity of the disease varying from asymptomatic cases to severe illness. Additionally, the symptoms may vary and evolve as the infection progresses.
See symptoms of coronavirus infection (THL) (Link leads to external service)
A COVID-19 infection can be prevented and treated in the same way as other respiratory infections. By following recommended preventive measures and receiving vaccinations, you can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
See instructions for preventing respiratory tract infections (THL) (Link leads to external service)
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Stay at home until your symptoms have improved
Stay at home until your symptoms have clearly improved and the fever has subsided. This usually takes 3–5 days. If needed, follow your workplace's standard sick leave procedures to request time off.
For children, they can return to school or daycare once their symptoms have significantly improved, the fever has subsided, and their overall condition allows for active participation in education or early childhood activities.
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If you are at high risk or your symptoms persist, fill in the symptom checker
iI is recommended to undergo COVID-19 testing if you experience symptoms that suggest a possible coronavirus infection and belong to a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 disease.
Check if you at risk of serious coronavirus disease (THL) (Link leads to external service)
Start by completing the coronavirus symptom checker in the Omaolo service. The Omaolo service will refer you to testing if necessary. More information is available on this page in the section "How to get tested?"
(Link leads to external service)
If you are unable to complete the checker, you can contact your health station during weekdays from 8.00–16.00, either through the Maisa (Link leads to external service) service or by phone.
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Call the Medical Helpline at 116117 if you experience severe symptoms
If you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a worsening general condition, call the Medical Helpline, tel. 116 117, before seeking urgent care. In case of emergencies, such as sudden chest pain, please dial the emergency number 112.
What should those who have been exposed do?
If you are symptom-free, you can continue with your regular daily activities, including attending work, school, or daycare, even if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus infection within your family.
How to get tested?
You should get tested only if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 and belong to a high-risk group for severe COVID-19 disease.
Start by completing the coronavirus symptom checker in the Omaolo service. The Omaolo service will refer you to testing if necessary. If your symptoms are severe, a medical professional will assesses your situation after you complete the symptom checker. As a guardian, you can act on behalf of a child under the age of 15.
(Link leads to external service)
If you are unable to complete the checker, you can contact your health station during weekdays from 8.00–16.00, either through the Maisa (Link leads to external service) service or by phone.
Coronavirus testing point in Helsinki
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Biomedicum, Haartmanin katu 8 (HUS)
Please come to the testing point only after booking an appointment. You will receive an appointment reminder by text message. The test time you receive is an estimate, be prepared to wait and follow the instructions provided at the testing point.
How do I cancel or reschedule a test time?
You can reschedule or cancel the time you have reserved for yourself or your child for the coronavirus test at korona.vihta.com (Link leads to external service). The reservation key and PIN code needed to reschedule or cancel the appointment are included in the confirmation email you received when you made your appointment. The website also offers a strong authentication option.
If you cancel your appointment and reschedule, you can select a different testing point.
What should I do after the test?
Getting the test result will take approximately a day. If you have not received the test result by text message after three days, please check the test result at MyKanta.fi (Link leads to external service).
You will receive a text message that reads “Your coronavirus test result is positive, which means that you have a coronavirus infection”.
Avoid being in contact with others until your symptoms have clearly improved and the fever has subsided. If necessary, apply for sick leave according to the normal sick leave practices.
As a rule, people infected with COVID-19 will no longer be placed in isolation in accordance with the Communicable Diseases Act and those having been exposed will no longer be quarantined. In the current epidemic situation, contact tracing will be carried out only in housing units for high-risk groups, service homes and health care units.
You will receive a text message that reads “Your coronavirus test was negative, which means that there was no coronavirus in the sample”.
Rest at home until your symptoms have clearly improved and the fever has subsided. A child can return to daycare when the symptoms have clearly improved.
If you need a coronavirus test certificate, you can download the EU digital COVID-19 certificate (Link leads to external service) from MyKanta. More information is available in the section "COVID-19 certificate".
COVID-19 test certificate
EU Digital COVID Certificate can be obtained from MyKanta
The primary proof of being tested for COVID-19 is the EU digital COVID-19 certificate. It also includes a coronavirus test result. The certificate can be downloaded from MyKanta (Link leads to external service) and it will show the latest test result. The certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result will be updated in MyKanta once the test results are ready. Generally, the certificate is available within 24 hours of the sample being taken.
This is how you download the COVID certificate from MyKanta (Link leads to external service)
The EU COVID-19 certificate printing point in the Kalasatama Health and Well-being Centre closed the 30th of June 2023.