The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 95,902.
Of 16,008 tests carried out in the last 24 hours, 3% were positive, down on the 5.1% rate the day before and right on the 4% rate which 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 dropped again from 390.8 Wednesday to 379.2 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) March 18, 2021
▫️veikti 16 008 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 482 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 12 mirušajiem (viens cilvēks 40-49 gadu vecumā, viens 60-69 gadu vecumā, viens 70-79 gadu vecumā, astoņi 80-89 gadu vecumā, viens 90-99 gadu vecumā).
Unfortunately 12 more deaths were also confirmed March 18. One victim was aged 40-49, one was aged 60-69, one was aged 70-79, eight were aged 80-89, and one was aged 90-99 years.
A total of 1,789 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
The suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine has seen the national vaccination effort stymied. March 17 saw just 56 people getting a first Covid-19 vaccination in Latvia and 103 getting a second dose. So far 82,944 people have received a first shot and 18,400 a second dose.
According to the National Health Service (NVD) 658 patients are currently being treated in hospital for symptoms of the coronavirus, of whom 73 are displaying serious symptoms.
Meanwhile on March 18 Lithuania recorded 552 new cases of coronavirus and Estonia recorded another day with more than 1,700 new cases.
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.
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 only in Latvian and Russian.
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.
