HELSINQUE (AP) – Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tested positive for COVID-19 and said she would be quarantined until she recovered from the virus.
Kallas, 43, who became the Baltic country’s first female head of government in January, said on Monday she was feeling well, except for a small fever and did not develop any other symptoms.
“I’m monitoring my health closely and staying at home until I recover,” said Kallas in a Facebook post, adding that she would continue to serve as prime minister at home, including holding a remote cabinet and other meetings.
Estonia, a nation of 1.3 million people, has seen a coronavirus situation worsen substantially in recent weeks and the country’s healthcare system and hospitals are having increasing problems in accommodating patients with COVID-19 with current resources.
The country registered 1,281 new daily cases of coronavirus on Monday, totaling 86,086 with 728 deaths. Authorities say 711 patients with coronavirus are being treated in hospitals across the country.
The 14-day notification rate for new COVID-19 cases reported per 100,000 inhabitants stood at 1,465, and is currently among the highest figures in Europe.
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