With Covid-19 cases on a decline in Latvia, it is nonetheless recommended to maintain the mask-wearing requirement for high-risk locations, said Disease Prevention and Control Centre’s Infectious Diseases Risk Analysis and Prevention Department Director Jurijs Perevoščikovs.
Last week the number of newly-uncovered Covid-19 infection cases dropped by 30%. The number of Covid-19 patients undergoing treatment in hospitals also went down last week. Epidemiological monitoring data also indicates that the risk of infection in society is slowly going down in Latvia, said Perevoščikovs.
He believes that, considering the situation has improved, it is possible to maintain the mask-wearing requirement for high-risk locations – healthcare institutions and social care centres, because patients and clients with weakened immune system and chronic diseases stay there.
It is also recommended to maintain this requirement for public transports.
Read also: Covid-19 in Baltic States. 1 352 in Latvia 2 190 in Lithuania, 667 in Estonia
Looking at situations in EU member states, he admitted that in countries like Austria, Germany, Finland and Italy there is a surge of new Covid-19 cases, but there is no increase of lethal outcomes. This can be explained with cancellation of safety measures, greater mobility of residents and the start of the travel season.
To avoid Covid-19 infection, Perevoščikovs invites residents to follow safety precautions, avoid public places if symptoms of upper respiratory infection appear, such as soar neck and coughing, follow simple hygiene rules, properly wear face masks and air rooms multiple times a day.
Infectologist: face mask requirement should be maintained for high-risk sectors
