Infection with the COVID-19 virus is on the rise again in Estonia, where the number of hospitalized patients with COVID has doubled in the span of just one month. According to researchers, COVID variants currently making the rounds, while highly contagious, are mild.

Over the past month, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID has doubled. According to Toivo Maimets, director of the Scientific Advisory Board, it then follows that Estonia has reached the beginning of a growing wave.

"To be more precise, as of [Sunday, July 17], we have 99 people hospitalized with the virus," Maimets said. "Of these, five are in the ICU and two are on ventilators. These aren't huge numbers, but around 100 hospitalized patients is nonetheless what starts to increase the burden on hospitals."

There are currently 17 COVID patients being treated at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of West Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). Central Hospital (LTK), and the director of the hospital considers the current situation stable.