Due to the widespread use of the delta variant of the Covid-19 virus, the number of cases could be much higher this year, experiencing similar situations and conditions as last year, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control’s Infectious Disease Risk Analysis and Prevention said in an interview with Latvian Television Director of the Department Yuri Perevoshchikov.
He explained that one of the reasons for this was the high contagion of the new variant of the virus. “So if we compare similar conditions in which people could be infected last year and this year – home conditions or contact with their friends – then such situations are no longer comparable from an epidemiological point of view, because under similar conditions the number of infected people could become much higher,” said the epidemiologist. .
Perevoshchikov admitted that in recent weeks the incidence of Covid-19 in Latvia has been decreasing, but the rate of reduction has now become much slower than it was initially. According to estimates by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), morbidity rates will continue to decline for some time to come, with cumulative morbidity per 100,000 inhabitants in Latvia likely to fall below 20 next week, while in Europe as a whole earlier than last year, the expert said.
“In six countries, the situation is actually deteriorating dramatically, especially Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands, and according to ECDC forecasts, they will be followed by a number of countries in the near future,” Perevoschikov warned.
Regarding the measures to limit the spread of the disease, which may have to be introduced if the situation worsens again, the SPKC representative emphasized that unvaccinated and uninsured individuals will be at higher risk, therefore, in case of increase of the disease, restrictions should be applied only to the immune population.
“In my opinion, these restrictions will not be even. According to the risks, the restrictions will mainly apply to people who are at higher risk of infection and also at higher risk of passing on the infection, ie non-immune people. I think this will happen in all countries. epidemiological risks, “the possible future picture was outlined by the epidemiologist.
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