Coronavirus case total rises to 778 in Latvia

The new figure was released by the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) which said 1,705 tests had been conducted during the previous 24-hour period. 

In total 41,041 tests have been carried out since February 29.

40 patients are in hospital, most of whom have moderate symptoms of the disease but 6 of whom are designated as being in a serious condition. 

So far 11 deaths of patients with coronavirus have been recorded.

You can read the current emergency regulations introduced by the government to tackle the spread of coronavirus, in English, at the government website.

As reported by LSM earlier, the regulations were further extended following a government meeting March 29, enforcing a two-person, two-meter rule for physical social interactions. The relevant section of the regulations can be read in English in our earlier story.

On April 7 the existing state of emergency and special regulations were extended until May 12.

There is a dedicated official COVID-19 website available with a variety of relevant information and contacts available in Latvian and Russian.

The Health Ministry also has this Latvian-language PDF file containing a long list of useful telephone numbers and other contact details. The number for medical emergencies is 113, the number for enquiring about a COVID-19 test if you have developed some potential symptoms after returning from overseas or being in contact with someone confirmed as having coronavirus is 8303 and the SPKC COVID-19 advice helpline is 67387661.

The SPKC has information in English about the approved methods of protecting yourself from the disease, symptoms and medical procedures and an interactive map plotting the incidence and distribution of the disease in Latvia.

Health Minister Ilze Viņķele said on social media that widespread testing remained key to countering the spread of coronavirus.

"Extensive testing is very important to control the coronavirus. I call on the people of Latvia, especially those suffering from chronic ilnesses, to actively use the opportunity to receive a GP referral for a test paid for by the state," Viņķele wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile State Police said Thursday they had carried out 1,930 checks relating to the emergency regulations during the last 24-hour period, writing 11 tickets as a result. They reminded the public to maintain social distancing using the 2-meter, 2-person rule and to stay at home if possible.