Hundreds of people are currently in quarantine in Vaasa after a spate of exposures and infections in the western coastal city.
The majority of recent confirmed infections have been among young adults, with their origins traced to a number of early autumn student events.
Student organisations in the city have started to provide emergency assistance to affected students, including an online shopping service and a so-called 'emergency aid package'.
When deemed necessary, students have also been referred to counselling.
"For example, we have first-year students who have only just moved to the city this autumn. They have no networks or else the friends they have made are also in quarantine," said Aleksi Sandroos, chair of the Board of the University of Vaasa Student Union (VYY), which is providing assistance in cooperation with the Vaasa University of Applied Sciences Student Union (VAMOK).
The unions opened a quarantine online store for students on Tuesday morning, from which those in quarantine can choose between a vegetable-based or fish-based food package at a price of about 24 euros.
"Only the products are charged for. We handle the transportation on a voluntary basis," Sandroos said, adding that the first orders placed on Tuesday will be delivered to students on Wednesday.
Students remain quarantined despite negative tests
Second year student Ida Kettuoja has been in quarantine since Wednesday of last week, and told Yle that she may have become exposed to the virus in several different situations, including while working as a tutor.
Although Kettuoja’s coronavirus test, taken last Friday, proved to be negative, she was instructed to take another test if the coronavirus-type symptoms persist because of the number of potential exposures.
"There is a small fear that they [the symptoms] could get worse, but even more that it has infected others," Kettuoja said.
She also praised the quarantine assistance provided by the student unions.
"The delivery guy brought me a big shopping bag over the weekend and I also ordered food directly from the store. The emergency help by the student union is a wonderful thing," she added.
Aatu Puisto, who is studying at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK), was notified of his potential exposure to the virus at the weekend, which he told Yle was likely to have occurred at the college.
"It didn't come as a big surprise, because we have had a lot of cases at VAMK. I am taking it seriously, but I am in a good mood," Puisto said.
He added that he took a coronavirus test after he developed a fever, but he has remained in quarantine despite the result of the test proving to be negative.
"The hardest thing is probably that you have to stay in your own domestic circle. It takes a toll on the mind, but the matter is so serious that you have to consider others, and your own health as well," Puisto said.
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VYY chair Sandroos said that student unions did try to follow the instructions and recommendations outlined by authorities during the autumn.
"We could not have predicted that some people would be so lax. Certainly more information should have been given. The most important thing now is to help individuals - we are not judging anyone, we are all trying to act responsibly," Sandroos said, adding that he hopes everyone can now follow guidelines, especially during the autumn holiday next week.
"At the moment, it is not the right time to leave Vaasa, but to stay at home," he added.
