The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 101,207.
Of 3,517 tests carried out in the last 24 hours, 4.7% were positive, down on the 7.1% rate the day before. 4% is regarded as the threshold at which the virus is spreading in an uncontrolled manner.
Monday's infection numbers are usually the lowest of the week in absolute terms due to a much smaller number of tests being carried out on Sundays.
The 14-day cumulative infection rate per 100,000 inhabitants dipped slightly from 380.5 Sunday to 379.9 Monday. 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 29, 2021
▫️veikti 3517 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 167 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 5 mirušajiem (divi cilvēki 60-69 gadu vecumā, trīs 80-89 gadu vecumā).
Five more deaths were also confirmed March 29. Two victims were aged 60-69, and three were aged 80-89 years.
A total of 1,878 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
The pace of vaccination ground almost to a halt on March 28 when just 6 people received a first dose of vaccine and none at all received a second dose, though the figures do remain subject to revision. So far 104, 486 people have received a first dose and 21,914 both doses.
Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts promised March 29 that the pace of the vaccination drive would accelerate again this week, saying on Twitter: "We vaccinate too little at weekends. This week we will start operating large vaccination centers in a trial mode, so the dynamics will change."
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 which is now exactly one year old.
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.
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.
