Seventeen new positive COVID-19 cases added over last 24 hours

Over last 24 hours 1,289 COVID-19 virus tests were analysed in Estonia, 17 tests, i.e. 1.3% of them came back positive.  In total, 42,213 first time tests have been performed in Estonia, of which 1,552 i.e. 3.7% have shown positive results.

As of the morning of April 21, 124 patients require hospitalisation due to the novel coronavirus, 9 persons require ventilation. 169 people have been discharged. During the previous 24 h period, information has been provided about three COVID-19 related deaths:  an 80-year old woman at Ida-Viru Central Hospital, a 73-year old man at Kuressaare Hospital, and a 99-year old woman at Saaremaa Südamekodu care home. Total 43 people have died in Estonia due to the coronavirus.

According to the population register, 11 people who have received the positive diagnosis over 24 hours, live in Harju County. Pärnu County and Tartu County have 2 new positive cases, Saare County and Järva County one new positive case each. As an absolute figure, most of the positive cases are in Harju County (537), followed by Saare County (521).  New positive results were added to almost all the age groups:  the youngest in the age group of 10 – 14, the eldest in the age group of 75 – 29.   Detailed statistical information of coronavirus testing is available at: www.koroonakaart.ee/en.

In view of the current trend in the number of people diagnosed positive for COVID-19 and receiving in-patient care in Estonia, the restrictions on scheduled treatment imposed on hospitals, general medical care, special medical care and dental care providers due to the emergency situation are gradually abolished. The decision is based on the understanding that a long-term delay in planned treatment would inevitably have a negative impact on the health of many people. However, due to the continued spread of the infection, the provision of planned treatments must start gradually and strictly in accordance with all measures to control the infection. The most important prerequisite for the resuming of scheduled treatments is the existence of personal protective equipment and the treatment process which would protect from the transmission of the infection.   In co-operation with the Health Board, the emergency medical chiefs and the Estonian Society for Infectious Diseases, a guideline has been developed for the safe start of scheduled treatments.

Clarification of the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre (TEHIK) regarding the publication of data:

Healthcare providers (including laboratories) can correct, modify and invalidate the documents retrospectively.  We always publish updated information for previous 24 hrs received from the health information system (TIS) as open data.  Laboratories introduce changes, corrections and deletions, these will be included under the open data from the previous period.

Additional information can be found on the Health Board website on coronavirus: www.terviseamet.ee/en/covid19 and on the Health Board Facebook page.  Questions regarding the emergency situation will be answered on the Government website: www.kriis.ee/en/all-questions-and-answers