Former scientific council chief and University of Tartu virology professor Irja Lutsar warned that while the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is a relatively mild strain, it can still put significant pressure on the healthcare system with its mass effect.
During the previous two years of the pandemic, no strain has spread as quickly in Estonia as Omicron. So far, more than 1,500 cases have been confirmed by testing.
The government's scientific council should first provide information to the government before coming out with their recommendations through the media, state auditor general Janar Holm told ERR on Monday.
Leading members of the government's coronavirus advisory council reject claims that they were fatigued and that their replacement was the result both of that and of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' (Reform) criticism of their media communications.
University of Tartu (UT) cell biology professor Toivo Maimets is set to become the new chief of the scientific council advising the government from 2022, taking over from University of Tartu virologist Irja Lutsar.