Estonia's latest 14-day coronavirus rate per 100,000 people now stands at 534.4.

Regional breakdown

274, or over half the new cases, were found in Harju County, the most affected region of Estonia, and also the most populous, with 229 of these coming in Tallinn.

Ida-Viru County, the second-most affected region in the pandemic at present, saw 84 new COVID-19 cases, the board says, while Tartu County posted 39 cases.

Of the rest of Estonia, 22 cases were recorded in Pärnu County, 15 in Võru County, 12 in Rapla County, and eight each in Lääne-Viru and Jõgeva counties.

Viljandi County saw five new cases, Järva and Lääne counties four each, Põlva County two, and Valga County, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa each posted one new case, meaning all 15 of Estonia's counties recorded new instances of coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

Seven of the new coronavirus cases came with individuals who had no official place of residence appended to their names.

Testing

4,698 primary coronavirus tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, the Health Board says, with 487 returning positive, giving a positive rate of around 10 percent.

The overall positive rate returned on tests since the pandemic began is slightly higher, at 11.2 percent, the board says.

In total, 736,488 tests have been carried out by the Health Board since January 31.

There are estimated to be 7,102 active cases in Estonia at present.

Hospitalizations, deaths and recovery rates

The 10 deaths related to COVID-19 brings the total number of people suffering from the virus who have died in Estonia to 368. The deaths reported in the 24 hours up to Saturday morning involved five women, aged, 94, 92, 91, 86 and 80, and five men, ages 88 (two deaths), 80, 72 and 66.

391 people are hospitalized as a result of the virus, the board says, a rise of 14 on the previous day. Twenty-nine people are on ventilators, down two on the previous day, while 45 people in total are in intensive care (down one on the day before).

Forty-four new coronavirus cases were opened in hospitals in the past day.

14 people are hospitalized less than a day earlier, ie there are a total of 391 coronary patients in hospitals. During the day, a total of 44 new COVID-19 cases were opened in hospitals. There are 29 (31 a day earlier) and 45 (46 a day earlier) people in controlled breathing.

Hospitals have wrapped up 2,218 coronavirus cases in 2,176 individuals to date (some individuals have more than one COVID-19 case associated with them, hence the discrepancy).

As of January 23, 29,747 people had recovered from the coronavirus, the Health Board says. Of these, the majority, 72 percent (21,409 people) had seen their coronavirus case file terminated by a health professional, while the remainder (8,338 people, or 28 percent) met the triple criteria of not having tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 28 days, not being hospitalized due to the virus and not awaiting closure of a coronavirus case file.

Vaccinations

As of Saturday morning, 25,704 individuals in Estonia have received the coronavirus vaccine, after 1,508 people were inoculated in the past 24 hours.

Precisely 2,400 of the total to have received the vaccine have had their second jab, so far, while 23,304 have received their first shot. Manufacturers of coronavirus vaccines have to date stipulated that a second injection is required some time after the first, for full coverage.

Statistical data about vaccinations is available in the Health Board's coronavirus database. Patients can view their vaccination information in the 'Patient Portal' here.

There are second vaccine doses guaranteed for those who have already been immunised, and the process of vaccination against COVID-19 is still ongoing, the Health Board says, in spite of the slight decrease in deliveries.

Immunization in retirement homes will continue, while healthcare professionals will start receiving their second vaccine doses (and already have - ed.).

Expansion of the scope of target groups for vaccination will be postponed by at least a week, however, the board says. The vaccines have been found to be highly tolerable, with only 0.4 percent of those individuals who have been vaccinated having exhibited some passing side-effects.

The aim of vaccinating against COVID-19, the board says, 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 generally, and to reduce the number of deaths that are caused by the disease, at the same time also alleviating the load on the healthcare system and the economy, and to enable society to function normally.

The first recipients of the vaccination are healthcare professionals and employees of healthcare institutions, employees and residents of care homes, and individuals over seventy years of age, plus those who suffer from certain health conditions which may increase the severity of COVID-19 symptoms were they to contract the virus.

As soon as Estonia receives a sufficient number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, inoculation will also become available to other target groups, as well as to the general populace, the board says.

More detailed information in English is available from the Koroonakaart site 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. 

--

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!

-- 

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!