The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 105,916.
Of 24,155 tests carried out in the past 24 hours (the highest number in a day so far, for the second day in a row), 3.1% were positive, up slightly on the 2.8% figure the day before but below the 4% level regarded as the threshold at which the virus is spreading in an uncontrolled manner.
However, the 14-day cumulative infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants rose from 330.6 Wednesday to 337.6 Thursday. 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 8, 2021
▫️veikti 24 155 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 740 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 17 mirušajiem (divi cilvēki 50-59 gadu vecumā, trīs 60-69 gadu vecumā, četri 70-79 gadu vecumā, seši 80-89 gadu vecumā, divi 90-99 gadu vecumā).
Seventeen more deaths were confirmed April 8. Two victims were aged aged 50-59 years, three were aged 60-69, four were aged 70-79, six were aged 80-89, and two were aged 90-99.
A total of 1,946 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
On April 8 in Estonia 757 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded, but from just 4,792 tests taken with a positive result rate of 15.8%. Meanwhile in Lithuania more than 1,000 cases were confirmed amid worrying signs that the virus may again be picking up pace.
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.
