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The COVID effect in Estonia is not over yet, here’s why..

Discover the latest updates on the COVID situation in Estonia and why the end of the pandemic wave is still uncertain. Get insights from the prevalence study conducted by the University of Tartu, revealing the ongoing presence of infections and the importance of vaccination and booster doses. Stay informed about the stability of protective antibodies and the need for continued safety precautions in society. Read more now!

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Prevalence data from the University of Tartu shows that coronavirus infections have reduced significantly in the last month, although the wave is not ended yet. Protective antibodies stay stable in the adult population.

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More than 2,380 people have been tested between April 27 and May 9, and 4.4 percent of them were found to be positive. 1.5 percent of the examined adults were still infected despite the fact that many of them had already received Covid-19.

This is a significant decrease from the number of people who participated in the first wave of prevalence studies earlier this month. All participants, regardless of age or gender, are susceptible to the illness, with those at most risk more likely to show symptoms.

Ruth Kalda, the leader of the prevalence study, said the drop in infection is evident, but sadly not so marked as to predict the end of the coronavirus wave.

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People who have both had the disease and been vaccinated are the most protected from the virus, according to the findings of the study. Additionally, the infection rate is half that of individuals who received a conventional immunisation series among those who received a booster dose.

During this research wave, 2,228 participants provided blood samples for antibody testing, and antibodies were found in 86% of them. Over the course of the month, this number has stayed very stable. People who have been immunised enjoy the longest-lasting immunity because of their body's production of antibodies. Antibodies have been found in three-quarters of persons who have been infected and recovered from the virus.

Antibodies derived from exposure to an infectious agent are "less durable and dissipate faster than those produced via vaccination," said Kalda.

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The study's behavioural component demonstrates a fall in people's perception of security and a consequent decrease in safety precaution observance. People who were in contact with the infected rarely take any precautions to avoid the transmission of the disease.

Expert Mikk Jürisson of the research project and professor of public health remarked that sunny warmer weather will not be enough to bring a stop to influenza.

"In order to stop the spread of the virus, it's important to supplement the usual vaccine program with booster dosages right now. The virus season  will arrive later if we can maintain a higher level of vaccine coverage in society over the summer "he stated.

A large research group at the University of Tartu, in collaboration with Synlab, as well as Medicum, plus Kantar Emor, conducted the prevalence study. In adults, this happens to be the first study that provides a complete picture of the true prevalence of the coronavirus.

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