Health Board: There could be 350 contacts in Ida-Viru County covid outbreak
The Health Board estimates there are 350 close contacts in the recent outbreak of coronavirus in Ida-Viru County in the east of Estonia. The country currently has the highest rate of the virus in the country with 57 cases and five people receiving hospital treatment.
The Health Board said it is likely that the number of COVID-19 infected persons in Ida-Viru County is likely to increase. The aim now is to prevent the virus spreading in workplaces.
Marje Muusikus, Head of the Eastern Region of the Health Board told ERR: "The whole of Ida-Viru County certainly cannot be locked down, but we are looking at each case individually and on an institution-by-institution basis. We have advised all companies, including high risk institutions such as nursing homes, to avoid employee rotation, avoid people and customer movements. And to wear masks."
On Tuesday, the Road Administration (Maanteeamet) announced it was closing it's offices in Jõhvi, Narva and Rakvere for two weeks after three members staff tested positive. Staff will be retested in the coming weeks.
Last week, the Estonia mine stopped working and currently 28 people are connected to an outbreak. On Tuesday, the VKG Ojamaa mine reported six infections but will stay open.
Five members of staff at Jõhvi Basic School have also tested positive which will delay the start of the school year, the school said on Tuesday. These cases were part of an outbreak at Jõhvi Kelder bar in Jõhvi, which has seen 15 people infected so far. Read more about the recent outbreaks here.
Police have temporarily banned the sale of alcohol in the county from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to stop the virus spreading in entertainment venues.
--
Download the ERR News app for Android and iOS now and never miss an update!
Editor: Helen Wright
