The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 91,636.
Of 16,705 tests carried out in the last 24 hours (the highest total since the start of the pandemic), 3.8% were positive, similar to the 3% rate the day before. 4% is regarded as the threshold rate at which the virus is spreading in an uncontrolled manner.
The 14-day cumulative infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants dropped appreciably from 447.4 Tuesday to 429.4 Wednesday, continuing a steady and encouraging downward trend. The last time it was below 430 cases was December 6 last year.
Anything over 200 is classed as a "very high risk" pandemic situation under the government's four-stage "traffic light" system.
? Pēdējo 24h laikā:
— SPKC.gov.lv (@SPKCentrs) March 10, 2021
▫️veikti 16 705 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 639 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 21 mirušo (divi cilvēki 50-59 gadu vecumā, trīs 60-69 gadu vecumā, seši 70-79 gadu vecumā, deviņi 80-89 gadu vecumā, viens 90-99 gadu vecumā).
Unfortunately twenty-one more deaths were also confirmed March 10. Two victims were aged 50-59 years, three were aged 60-69, six were aged 70-79, nine were aged 80-89 and one was aged 90-99.
A total of 1,726 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
March 9 saw 2,175 people getting a first vaccination in Latvia, and 25 getting a second jab. So far 68,111 people have received a first shot and 18,053 a second dose.
Meanwhile in Lithuania 460 new cases were confirmed March 9 and Estonia continues to be hardest hit with 1,484 cases. Estonia's rate of infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days now stands at nearly 1,400. Both Latvia and Lithuania have offered to help Estonia cope.
Covid-19 information
You can find all the latest Covid-19 statistics, including breakdowns by geographic location and age, at this official website.
A summary in English of the latest Covid-19 situation including restrictions in place and rules on public assembly is available at this special government website.
Use of nose and mouth coverings is compulsory in all public places indoors, including workplaces, and there are restrictions on what goods can be bought from stores. Physical distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitary cleaning habits are encouraged.
The current state of emergency runs until April 6.
The dedicated Hotline for Covid-19 related inquiries (24 hours, 7 days a week) is 8345. The number for medical emergencies is 113.
March 8 brought the launch of a new (Latvian language) hotline 8989 which allows people to both register for vaccination and receive answers to questions about the process of vaccination.
? No šodienas, zvanot pa bezmaksas tālruņa numuru 8989, ikvienam ir iespēja ne tikai reģistrēties vakcīnai pret Covid-19, bet arī saņemt atbildes uz aktuālajiem jautājumiem par vakcinācijas procesu.
— Veselības ministrija (@veselibasmin) March 8, 2021
? https://t.co/8HoAs2zhJS pic.twitter.com/IhhPfuZtWl
All arrivals to the country (including returnees) need to fill in an electronic declaration prior to coming to Latvia. It is available at the website covidpass.lv. Until April 6, entry to Latvia is only allowed for the reasons listed in our other story.
Since January 15 arrivals have needed to show a negative Covid-19 test from a maximum 72 hours before arrival.
