Covid wave expected after flu epidemic in Latvia

Take note – story published 1 year ago

Medics follow news from Europe with concern, where the number of Covid-19 infections is climbing rapidly. It can be presumed that a Covid-19 epidemic can also be expected after the influenza epidemic, Latvian Television reported on January 2.

Although the type of Covid-19 Omicron is less dangerous and a large proportion of the population has received all the necessary vaccines, the infection does not recede. Moreover, Christmas and the many events surrounding it are only accelerating the spread of the virus.

“I think the peaks of the flu virus will be expected shortly before and after New Year's. However, there is still concern about the spread of Covid. At the end of the month, we could experience a very large increase in the prevalence of Covid, which will affect hospitals' ability to treat patients,” said Liene Cipule, director of the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD).

She also reiterated – “sick people shouldn't walk around”. “If you need to go to events, take masks on a voluntary basis. And definitely vaccination, it can still be done against Covid so that when the morbidity curve is at its peak, at least the vaccine can protect against more severe symptoms of the disease,” Cipule said.

Last week, from December 26 to January 1, the number of new cases of Covid-19 decreased by 39.4% in Latvia compared to the previous week, while the intensity of influenza increased, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) reported.

1,327 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded last week, while the week before, it was 2,164.

In the last week, the proportion of positive tests decreased by 2.3% compared to a week earlier. The number of patients in hospitals decreased by 9.2%.

Between December 26 and January 1, 20 dead Covid-19 patients were reported, while a week earlier 19 were reported.

During the previous week, the number of cases of Covid-19 decreased in almost all regions of Latvia, a slight increase was observed only in Latgale. Reduction in morbidity has been observed in all age groups.

Meanwhile, the intensity of influenza increased in the last week of December – from 607.9 cases pe 100,000 inhabitants last week to 766.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants this week.

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