In a political statement made to the Riigikogu, Kallas said that the situation of the spread of the coronavirus in Estonia is again extremely critical. “In the first two waves, the elderly needed the most protection. Now, we must focus on those who have not been vaccinated. Unvaccinated people who have contracted COVID-19 are more contagious than vaccinated people, have more severe symptoms, and are more likely to require hospitalisation for longer. Hospitals mostly have to treat unvaccinated people,” she said.
Kallas stated that if more and more COVID-19 patients have to be hospitalised, the provision of other health care services must be stopped. “We have to make hard choices – first, we are forced to postpone scheduled surgeries, such as for patients with problems with their hips and joints, and cardiac surgeries. These people cannot choose whether or not to have the disease and they need treatment. COVID-19 patients can protect themselves through vaccination so that they do not suffer from the disease so severely and end up in the hospital,” she said.
According to Kallas, the Estonian medical system is currently in a difficult situation and our medical staff needs support and a peace of mind. “There is a general consensus in the Riigikogu on issues such as the national defence: none of us disputes that in order to preserve our independence, we have to stay in NATO and make investments in defence. I urge us to find a similar consensus on supporting the medical system. I do not want anyone to demonise, attack, or threaten the medical workers who are doing all they can to protect our people. I wish our doctors and nurses all the best,” she said.
In her statement, Kallas also spoke about the control measures that entered into force today – there are now stricter rules to wear a mask. In addition, only vaccinated adults or people who have recovered from COVID-19 can now participate in activities that require the COVID-19 certificate. At the same time, she stated that the government must be ready for the next steps, because people who became infected before the new restrictions were introduced will possibly have to be hospitalised in a week or two.
“Let me remind you that there were people during the spring wave who demanded extremely severe restrictions and the declaration of an emergency situation. Looking back, we were right to stick to fewer restrictions,” said Kallas.
Kallas emphasised the importance of complying with the restrictions in force so that we can keep the society as open as possible and allow hospitals to help everyone, not just COVID-19 patients. “If your decision not to get vaccinated is final, please be especially careful and avoid any contact until the spread of the virus has started to decline again,” she said.
The prime minister emphasised that COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths are preventable and thanked all those who have gotten vaccinated and adhere to the restrictions. “Let us care about ourselves and our people, and help health care workers as much as we can,” she said.
The full text of the political statement of the prime minister: https://valitsus.ee/uudised/peaminister-kaja-kallase-poliitiline-avaldus-covid-19-olukorrast-25102021.
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