There have been periods in Vidzeme Hospital in the summer with no Covid patients in the ward. But the situation has now deteriorated rapidly as autumn approaches.
Vidzeme hospital infectologist Signe Jākobsone said the influx was evident: “Right now we have close to half the number of patients in the ward [Covid-19 patients], that's about nine, ten right now. That's significantly higher than [a few] weeks ago when there were one or two patients. We're seeing a big increase. ”
For the most part, elderly people with moderate to severe illness end up in hospital.
Meanwhile, the situation at Liepāja Regional Hospital is calmer, said hospital spokeswoman Indra Grase. Three Covid-19 patients are currently being treated in the hospital, with two having a primary diagnosis and one having a side diagnosis. Five hospital staff have also become infected. But the hospital is ready for an increase in patients.
Jelgava and Rēzekne hospitals, on the other hand, are currently treating only one Covid-19 patient each.
Gradually masks are also returning to hospitals, Vidzeme hospital spokeswoman Yakobson confirmed: “There is currently a recommendation to wear a respirator or mask when approaching Covid-19 patients, both for visitors and medical staff.”
Data from the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) showed 122 people infected with Covid-19 were identified last week, up 32 from a week earlier. Infectologists point out that although the infection is now spreading faster, the situation cannot be described as worrying at this time.
As of Wednesday, September 20, new custom vaccines against the Covid-19 Omicron subtype, currently dominant in Latvia, will also be available in vaccination points, the National Health Service told the portal LSM.lv.
The SPKC reported in late August that it is the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant that is dominant in Latvia, but overall in the country, medics see 3-4 types of the virus.
