All previous infection cases could be traced back to contact with an infected person or where the person had been abroad, but for the new cases the people could have been infected either on the bus, in the store, or any other public place. This means the virus is spreading in Latvia and the risk of being infected outside the house is greater than before.
The five infected Riga residents include students and pensioners and are from various professions. Most of them paid out-of-pocket for tests after being concerned about being ill. Wednesday morning there were 12 patients in the hospital, but none have needed intensive care.
Perevoščikovs stressed that society needs to change habits to protect ourselves and the people with which we come into contact. We must take special precautions concerning the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Only our actions can change the impact of the pandemic.
Keep observing social distancing, avoid crowded shops, wash your hands and don't touch your face with dirty hands. If you have a temperature, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, please observe self-isolation. Latvia currently has fewer cases of infection than neighboring countries because we're still in the beginning stage of the pandemic.
Deputy State Police Chief Normunds Krapsis said there have been more than 4,000 incidents where police have been called to inspect cases of people not observing quarantine, self-isolation or other preventative measures. 228 cases have been opened and 25 people have been written up for infringements. From March 25 police will be more closely monitoring those who have arrived from abroad.
