Four new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday

Take note – story published 4 years and 3 months ago

Officials in Latvia said they had detected four new cases of COVID-19 on July 18, with the total number since the start of the pandemic rising to 1,189 on Saturday. 

No further fatalities were announced, with the death toll remaining on 31.

The Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) said 1,751 tests had been conducted during the previous 24-hour period. 

In total 179,636 tests have been carried out since February 29.

So far 1,022 patients have recovered from infection.

Three patients with COVID-19 are in hospital, all of whom have moderate symptoms of the disease.

The news came as some people expressed concern online about the first day of a month-long pedestrianisation of Tērbatas street in Rīga which may have proven to be too popular for its own good. Many people posted pictures of large crowds gathered in the street with individuals packed close together and few signs of face masks being used, though this is not a mandatory requirement. 

Others however said that in general people were maintaining some distance and welcomed the relaxed festival atmosphere on what is normally one of the Latvian capital's busiest streets.

Health Minister Ilze Viņķele called on members of the public to enjoy themselves in a responsible manner.

"It is nice that Tērbatas Street has been given over to pedestrians. But. Dear Rigans and guests - it is not safe to listen to concerts in crowds," she said, adding that careful thought was required to make sure such events do not become points of COVID-19 contagion.

That advice was followed up Saturday morning by an announcement from Interior Minister Sandis Ģirģens that Saturday evening's concerts would be cancelled and more police would be on hand to monitor physical distancing.

Covid-19 Information

A useful 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.

Cīņa ar #COVID19 izplatību nav noslēgusies - iepazīsties ar noteikumiem, kurus nepieciešams ievērot savas un sabiedrības veselības saglabāšanas nolūkā arī pēc ārkārtējās situācijas noslēguma! ☝?

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— Valdības māja (@Brivibas36) June 10, 2020

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 virus, symptoms and medical procedures and an interactive map plotting the incidence and distribution of the disease in Latvia.

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