Free testing based on referral from family doctor to be launched in 8 cities

Virus testing Photo: Solis BioDyne

In the next few days, expanded testing for coronavirus will begin in eight Estonian cities on the basis of a referral from a family doctor.

The first drive-in testing site will be opened in Tallinn, with similar testing sites also to be opened in Tartu, Pärnu, Kuressaare, Viljandi, Narva, Paide and Kohtla-Järve in the next few days. When ill, people have to call their family doctor, who will assess the patient’s need for coronavirus testing according to the Health Board’s protocol.

In the event of symptoms like a cough and fever, the person must call their family doctor or the family doctor hotline 1220, where they will be issued guidelines on how to act. Starting from March 16, the Emergency Response Center’s hotline 1247 was launched to help answer key questions about the COVID-19 virus. The phone operates 24/7 and is free of charge. 

The emergency number 112 must be called in case of breathing difficulties or lack of air.

The necessity of testing is assessed by a doctor and carried out for medical reasons. If a person falls ill, they should remain at home and, if possible, inform the people they have been in close contact with in recent days. With mild symptoms such as cough and low fever, people should stay at home and, if necessary, relieve the symptoms, preferably with over-the-counter medicines.