Estonia's new 14-day coronavirus rate per 100,000 inhabitants is 606.63, with the a positive test rate of 13 percent over that time-frame.

5,348 primary coronavirus tests were conducted over the past 24 hours, with 556 returning positive, giving a 10.4 percent rate.

All 15 of Estonia's counties saw new coronavirus cases.

According to population registry data, Harju County saw the largest number of new infections, at 263 people. 206 new cases of these were in the capital, Tallinn.

Ida-Viru County, the other hardest-hit region of the country, saw 118 new positive COVID-19 cases, while Pärnu County received 33, Lääne-Viru County posted 31, Tartu County 25 and Viljandi County 16, in the past 24 hours, the Health Board says.

The figures for Valga County were 12, nine new cases emerged in Võru and Põlva counties each, and eight in Järva County. Lääne County and Saaremaa saw six new coronavirus cases, Jõgeva County four, Hiiumaa three and Rapla County picked up one case.

An additional 12 cases had no place of residence associated with the individuals in question, according to population registry data, the board said.

The eight deaths reported overnight brings the total number of people who have died from causes related to the virus to 278.

The Health Board is monitoring over 23,700 individuals

The Health Board is divided into four regions, with the northern and eastern regions bearing the brunt of the cases.

The northern regional department is monitoring 14,822 people, of whom 4,598 have been infected with coronavirus.

The eastern regional department is monitoring 4,389 people; 1,428 of them have been infected.

The western regional department is monitoring 1,664 people, with 513 having been infected, and the corresponding figures for the western region are 2,092 and 1,038 (these figures also include people who are being monitored also includes individuals from the northern, eastern, and western regions, the board says).

Hospitalizations, testing, recovery rates

Thirty-four new COVID-19 cases were opened up in hospitals, and 384 patients were being treated for the virus, a rise of 11 on the previous day.

Forty-two patients are in intensive care, two less than on Friday, and 28 of them were on ventilators (no change on previous day), the board said.

Twenty-four patients were discharged from hospital, eleven patients were transferred to a non-COVID-19 unit, and one further patient was transferred to another hospital.

Eight new coronavirus deaths were registered within the past 24 hours, involving a 59 year-old woman, a 60 year-old man, a 61 year-old man, a 73 year-old man, an 82 year-old man, an 86 year-old man, and two 89 year-old women. The coronavirus has claimed the lives of 278 people in Estonia in total.

As of today, 9 January, hospitals have closed a total of 1,767 cases relating to COVID-19 which involved 1,738 people.

Also as of 9 January, a total of 22,752 people have recovered from COVID-19. The cases of 17,053 people have been closed (75 percent of the total) and, in the case of 5,699 people (25 percent), more than twenty-eight days have passed since they tested positive and the individuals concerned are not being treated in hospital, meaning that they are awaiting confirmation of their recovery.

Since developing the capability of testing for coronavirus in spring 2020, over 673,095 tests have been analysed in Estonia in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The number of positive initial test results amounts to 33,089 individuals, or 4.9 percent of the total. Detailed statistical data from the coronavirus tests is available here.

Vaccinations

As of Saturday morning, 10,197 people in Estonia have been vaccinated against COVID-19, a rise of 2,224 on the previous day.

A total of 10,197 individuals have now been vaccinated against COVID-19. Statistical data about vaccinations is available in the Health Board's coronavirus database. Patients can view their vaccination information in the 'Patient Portal' here.

The aim of vaccinating against COVID-19 is to protect risk groups who are likelier to be infected or who are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms in the event of being infected, as well as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to reduce the number of deaths that are caused by the disease, while also alleviating the load on the healthcare system and the economy, and to enable society to function normally.

The first recipients of the vaccination will be healthcare professionals and employees of healthcare institutions, the employees and residents of care homes, and individuals who are over seventy years old and who suffer from certain health conditions which may increase the severity of COVID-19 symptoms that could be experienced in the event of their falling ill. As soon as Estonia receives a sufficient number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination will also become available to other target groups, as well as to the general population.

More detailed information is available in English on the koroonakaart website here.

How can the spread of coronavirus be stopped?

• The most efficient measure is keeping your distance.
• In crowded places and especially indoors where it is not possible to keep your distance from other people, it is advisable to wear a mask.
• Closed, crowded spaces should be avoided if possible.
• Hands must be washed frequently with soap and warm water.
• When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissue.
• Anyone who becomes ill should stay at home, even if their symptoms are mild.
• People who develop any symptoms should contact their family physician.

Download 'HOIA'

You can also download Estonia's coronavirus exposure notification app 'HOIA' which will alert you if you have been in close contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.

The free app can be downloaded at the Google Play Store or App Store. Read ERR News' feature about the app here. 

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