Karelia Brigade reports decline in conscript illnesses in Kouvola

The number of illnesses affecting conscripts at the Karelia Brigade in Kouvola has begun to decline. Today, over a hundred conscripts contacted the health center, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mikko Saarelainen, chief of staff at the brigade. Last week saw around 235 contacts, indicating a return to levels similar to past years during this period. At the end of September, there were approximately 600 contacts per week.

New viral infections are still being reported, with many conscripts experiencing respiratory symptoms this autumn, thought to be linked to adenovirus. Last week, five new cases of adenovirus were confirmed within the barracks, Saarelainen noted. Currently, there are no patients in the barracks’ hospital ward, while about 15 conscripts remain at home due to respiratory symptoms. According to Saarelainen, there have been no new cases requiring hospitalization, although a few individual conscripts have been transferred to hospitals during the fall.

To prevent further infections, the barracks have implemented mandatory face masks and maintained separation between groups. Unit leaves have also been canceled on a week-by-week basis due to health concerns. The last cancellation of leaves occurred three weeks ago, Saarelainen added.