The Estonian Health Board expects that despite new restrictions coming into force on Monday, October 25, the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients would reach 700 or maximum hospital capacity in late November. Therefore, stricter rules would need to be imposed according to leading health experts, ERR reports.
With new daily Covid-19 cases rising sharply in October, Deputy Director of the Estonian Health Board Mari-Anne Härma noted that over 500 people could hospitalised with Covid by November 1 and the figure reaching 700 by late November. This would bring hospitals to maximum capacity.
«The Health Board supports putting at least some schools, some study levels on remote learning in cases where the infection rate is high and local vaccination rate low,» the official reasoned.
Read also: Estonia’s new, stricter Covid rules to be in force until January 10
In Estonia’s second largest city, the Tartu University Hospital has already suspended regular in-patient care. Its professor of intensive care Joel Starkopf expressed the view that he understands rulers’ reluctance to order tougher measures.
«But looking at these graphs, I would say it is high time to lock down the country, because the cases we diagnose today will translate into hospitalization two weeks from now. A fortnight in which to make the decision,» professor of intensive care Starkopf cautioned, ERR reports.
Estonian health experts suggest school restrictions, despite new restrictions imposed
