Covid-19 infection cases are on a rise not only in Latvia but all of Europe as well, stresses director of Disease Prevention and Control Centre (SPKC) for Infectious Diseases Risk Analysis and Prevention Department Jurijs Perevoščikovs.
He said currently it does not seem like Covid-19 infections are in decline – minimal infection numbers were received at the end of May. Infection rates have yet to reach intensive levels, because this requires autumn weather.
The biggest increase of infections is observed in Riga and Pieriga.
However, the expert believes this is related to the decision to lift restrictions and social distancing.
«Last summer the situation was similar. People enjoyed summer and everything it offered – concerts, events, clubs, discos – because there were no more restrictions in place in the European Union. People are bored and use opportunities in closed spaces, go to airport and board aircraft,» Perevoščikovs explained the rise in infection numbers.
The expert mentioned that omicron sub-type BA.2 remains active in Latvia.
New omicron sub-types BA.4 and BA5 have appeared in Portugal. According to reports, these sub-types are more infectious than previous sub-types because they have a higher possibility of infection. He said infection with omicron sub-type BA.1 does not provide complete immunity against BA.4 and BA.5. This means people can get infected with Covid-19 again.
Perevoščikovs reported that these two omicron sub-types have appeared in some areas in Latvia – Liepāja, Jūrmala, Salaspils and Rīga.
«We continue following the situation with infections. However, residents should not forget that Covid-19 infection risk remains. Residents should not interact with people infected with Covid-19. In the event of infection, residents should stay home, to prevent the infection from spreading to other people. If many people stay in the same place indoors and there is no way to maintain a distance and the room has poor ventilation, using a respirator can help reduce infection risks. Washing hands is also important,» Perevoščikovs reminded about the importance of proper preventive measures.
Yesterday a total of 206 Covid-19 infection cases were found in Latvia, according to data compiled by SPKC.
1 932 Covid-19 tests were performed. 10.7% of them turned out positive. Of the newly-uncovered infection cases 93 were for non-vaccinated people and people who have not yet finished their vaccination course. 113 were vaccinate for Covid-19.
The two-week cumulative index in Latvia increased from 133.3 to 137.8 per 100 000 residents.
The seven-day cumulative index per 100 000 residents increased from 77 to 77.1 yesterday.
Reports of two covid-related deaths were received. One person was in the 80-89 years group and the other – 90 to 99 years group.
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5 884 have died of Covid-19 in Latvia so far.
SPKC previously explained data on deaths may be inaccurate due to the fact that reports come in with a delay of up to a month. Another reason is that for some deaths Covid-19 was not the main cause of death.
Since the start of Covid-19 pandemic this illness has been confirmed for 831 727 people in Latvia.
According to data from LETA, a total of 1 446 people have become infected with Covid-19 in the last seven days.