68 new cases of coronavirus confirmed yesterday

The laboratories performing tests confirmed 68 new cases of coronavirus yesterday, there are 109 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Estonia in total. Of people who have tested positive, 54 (51%) are in Harju County, 31 (28%) in Saare County, 9 (8%) in Võru County, 6 (7%) in Tartu County, 6 (6%) in Pärnu County and 3 (6%) in Viru County (NB! The data of the counties is based on the preliminary data from the laboratories, it is not linked to the data of the Population Register – the exact numbers of cases per county may be subject to change).

All diagnosed patients remain under home surveillance, no one is currently hospitalized (as of last night). The first patient to fall ill has been discharged from the hospital.

A total of 843 COVID-19 tests have been performed since January 31. The laboratories of the Health Board, North Estonia Medical Centre, Ida-Viru Central Hospital, Tartu University Clinic, Pärnu Hospital and Synlab have the facilities to detect viral disease COVID-19 in Estonia at the moment.

Coronavirus sample will be collected following the healthcare professional’s decision who determines the need for analysis based on a case definition, or symptoms that have occurred, and whether the person has recently visited the risk area or may have been in close contact with someone carrying coronavirus.

The Health Board’s risk assessment is based on the data and risk evaluations and analyses of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO. The Health Board considers the People's Republic of China, Italy, Iran and South Korea to be coronavirus high risk areas. Areas with average risk are Germany (North Rhine - Westphalia, Baden - Wuerttemberg and Land of Bavaria), France (Auvergne - Rhône - Alpes Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France), Tyrol ski resorts in Austria, Spain (Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque Country), Japan, Singapore. The risk of contagion is high for people who are currently staying in the countries with local widespread.

A coronavirus test can be successfully performed on a person who already has symptoms of the disease. The test is very likely to give a false negative result if performed before symptoms such as cough, fever and breathing difficulties have occurred.

According to the information known today, the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to flu symptoms. The virus can cause cough, fever and breathing difficulties. The virus spreads mainly through close contact with a person who has symptoms characteristic to the infection, especially cough.

In order to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, the government has declared an emergency situation which is likely to remain in place until May 1. All schools and universities in Estonia will be moved to distance learning starting from Monday, March 16. The measures include all public gatherings being banned and museums and cinemas closed together with shows in theatres, concerts and conferences being cancelled. All sports competitions are prohibited until 1 May. Sanitary inspections will be employed at border crossing. The sale of cruise trips on the Tallinn–Stockholm–Tallinn line must is suspended. Libraries will remain open only to a limited extent.

Find more information on the Health Board's dedicated website www.terviseamet.ee/en/covid19  and on the Health Board's Facebook page.