In Estonia, the number of severe Covid-19 patients in hospitals has been rising, not decreasing in the beginning of February therefore the planned lifting of the Covid-19 certificate rule nationwide on February 21 will not happen, according to the Estonian government, public broadcaster ERR reports.
On Thursday, February 10, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said at a press conference: «This is simply not possible, you should know that. The burden on the medical system is very high, both in terms of the number of patients and the number of hospital staff.»
Read also: Virologist: Lifting certificate requirement in Estonia unrealistic on February 21
The Reform Party leader reasoned that the number of severe Covid-19 patients in hospitals has been rising, not decreasing recently. «The average number of symptomatic Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital over the past ten days stands at 39, meaning we will not reach 25 by February 21,» noted the Prime Minister referring to the goal of an average of 25 daily severe Covid-19 hospitalisations in a ten day period that was set in the beginning of February.
«Currently, the number of severely ill Covid-19 patients in hospitals is close to 300, while the Health Board estimates that there will be 500 serious Covid cases in hospitals by mid-February,» Kallas pointed to an expected increase in hospital workload, adding that vaccination and boost vaccination is key to seeing the restrictions lifted, ERR reports.
Government of Estonia says impossible to end certificate rule due to high hospitalisations
