The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 110,997.
Of 15,192 tests carried out in the past 24 hours, 4.3% were positive, up slightly on the 3.7% rate the day before. 4% is regarded as the threshold at which the virus is spreading in an uncontrolled manner.
The 14-day cumulative infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants rose quite rapidly from 354.1 Friday to 373.8 Saturday. 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) April 17, 2021
▫️veikti 15 192 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 654 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 6 mirušajiem (viens cilvēks 50-59 gadu vecumā, viens 60-69 gadu vecumā, viens 70-79 gadu vecumā, trīs 80-89 gadu vecumā).
Unfortunately, six more deaths were reported April 16 taking the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 2,048.
Meanwhile in Estonia 333 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed April 16 and in Lithuania the figure was 1,193.
Covid-19 information
You can find all the latest Covid-19 statistics 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 dedicated hotline for Covid-19 related inquiries (24 hours, 7 days a week) is 8345. The number for medical emergencies is 113.
There is a Latvian language hotline 8989 which allows people to both register for vaccination and receive answers to questions about the process of vaccination. There is also a website to register for vaccination, https://manavakcina.lv/ which is currently available in Latvian and Russian. An English-language version is slated for mid-to-late April.
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.