Riga, Dec. 7, LETA. Last week, the number of newly discovered cases of Covid-19 increased by 12.5% compared to the previous week, according to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPCC).
As Ilze Arāja, a representative of the SPKC, informed LETA, an average of 620 cases of Covid-19 were registered every day, which is 69 cases more than in the previous week. The proportion of positive Covid-19 tests has increased from 8.4% to 8.6%.
The incidence rate of Covid-19 continues to deteriorate, with Covid-19 covering an increasing area of Latvia and the incidence rate currently approaching the EU average.
At the same time, the number of counties and cities with a high cumulative morbidity has increased – more than 100 cases and 100,000 inhabitants. There are currently 94 such areas, up from 76 a week ago.
The fastest increase in the number of sick people is observed in Latgale and Riga. The disease is also growing in Zemgale. Latvia’s 14-day cumulative trend – 426.7 cases per 100,000 population – has also risen almost to the European average of 473.
In the epidemiological investigation of Covid-19 cases, only 45% of cases have been able to trace infection and the link to another Covid-19 case or outbreak is known.
Of the Covid-19 cases reported, most people became infected in the household or from family members or those living with them.
From 6% per week from 16 to 22 November to 17% last week, the incidence of social care centers has increased among both employees and clients. Meanwhile, the number of people infected in the workplace has slightly decreased. In turn, less than 12% of positive cases are related to infection in medical institutions, most of which are medical staff.
The number of inpatient Covid-19 patients increased by 17% over the previous week compared to the previous week, and an average of 73 patients were hospitalized per day, which is 11 patients more than a week earlier.
The SPKC urges the population to pay special attention to the hygiene of the mouth, nose and hands, as well as not to go to work and public places even with the slightest symptoms of respiratory illness.
Those who have tested positive for the Covid-19 test are encouraged by the SPCC to act responsibly and to identify and inform potential contacts immediately so that people can take appropriate action and follow the safety precautions imposed on the contacts as soon as possible.
The SPKC also reminds that currently employers and family doctors also inform about the status of a contact person, who receive information about a positive patient on the e-health portal.
People with Covid-19 infection who are in strict isolation at home are encouraged by the SPKC to monitor their health and contact their family doctor regularly. If shortness of breath occurs, seek help in a timely manner by calling the Emergency Medical Service on 113.
Find out soon that Stop Covid can help you get in touch with a Covid-19 patient. With the app, it will be possible to isolate yourself in time so as not to endanger family, colleagues, friends and other residents. The app also allows patients to inform contacts who are also using Stop Covid, thus working together to reduce the chance of the infection spreading.
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