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Estonia Grapples With Triple Respiratory Virus Surge
Estonia is confronting a severe public health challenge as cases of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV climb simultaneously, with a 31% weekly jump in upper respiratory infections driven by outbreaks in schools and care homes.
- —Estonia is experiencing a high and increasing level of respiratory virus infections, with a simultaneous rise in cases of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV over the past two weeks.
- —The surge in illnesses is being exacerbated by ongoing outbreaks in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and care homes across the country.
- —Over 4,260 individuals sought medical attention for upper respiratory viral infections in the fifth week of the year, marking a 31% increase from the previous week, with children under 14 accounting for over a third of cases.
- —Influenza cases remain very high, with 2,070 registered cases in the fifth week, an 11% increase from the prior week, and the season has seen 1,000 hospitalizations due to flu.
- —COVID-19 cases are also growing, with 681 new cases reported last week, a 25% increase, particularly affecting adolescents, the elderly, and young children.
- —RSV cases have significantly intensified, especially among young children, with 138 cases reported last week, 67 of which were in children under four years old, and 112 patients have been hospitalized this season.
Recap
Estonia faces a compounding public health crisis as three distinct respiratory viruses peak at the same time, creating a multi-front challenge for its healthcare system. The high infection rates in institutional settings and among children suggest transmission is widespread and difficult to contain, signaling a prolonged period of elevated illness and potential for overwhelmed medical facilities.