Covid-19 affected Riga Stradins University; infected technician – in Latvia

Last week, Covid-19 was diagnosed by a technical staff at Riga Stradins University (RSU), said Ieva Nora Gediņa, the university’s media relations manager.

She mentioned that RSU was known for a positive result of a test performed at the beginning of last week by one of the university’s technical staff, who had contact with a limited circle of colleagues, moreover, it was short-lived.

It was emphasized that the university has taken all precautionary measures in accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Asked whether the established case did not affect the study process, Gediņa answered in the negative, emphasizing that RSU started this academic year remotely online. Full-time studies take place only for first-year students of social sciences programs, moreover, up to 20% of study courses.

Studies at the university from October 5 are planned in a combined form – remotely and also in person.

At the same time, Gediņa noted that RSU has developed strict rules that must be followed by both students and academic staff and the university administration to limit the spread of infection. The RSU working group on the spread of Covid-19 has also developed a detailed action plan for various situations where Covid-19 infection is suspected.

Last Friday, Covid-19 cases were reported to date in a total of 12 schools, seven of which were schools, three kindergartens and two universities.

According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), 14 cases of Covid-19 have so far been detected in these seven schools, compared to three in three pre-schools. Meanwhile, a total of four Covid-19 cases are linked to the two universities.

There are two schools where more than one infection was detected, while the remaining five each recorded one case.

The work of SPKC continues in all educational institutions. At the same time, we are working with contact persons, whose total number, including cases involving educational institutions, currently reaches around 800 inhabitants. The center reports that this figure is approaching the peak of Covid-19 prevalence, which was recorded in the spring. At that time, the SPKC had more than a thousand contacts on the list.

However, as the SPKC reminds, the status of a contact person does not mean that a person will definitely get Covid-19.

According to SPKC epidemiologists, there are cases when patients receive information that they continue to work, do not restrict their lives and attend or organize social events after the onset of symptoms.

At the same time, experts point out that a mild runny nose is not in itself the leading symptom of Covid-19. In this case, the epidemiology must be assessed, taking into account, among other factors, for example, whether there has been contact with foreigners and whether travel has taken place during the relevant period.

Although there have been occasional human infections without the influence of these factors, as explained by the SPC, the prevalence of Covid-19 is still controlled, which means that, despite isolated cases, the possibility of infection, such as on public transport, is not significant. .

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