The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 96,524.
Of 16,904 tests carried out in the last 24 hours, 3.7% were positive, up on the 3% rate the day before but still below 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 slightly again from 379.2 Thursday to 372.2. 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 19, 2021
▫️veikti 16 904 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 622 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 10 mirušajiem (divi cilvēki 40-49 gadu vecumā, viens 50-59 gadu vecumā, viens 60-69 gadu vecumā, divi 70-79 gadu vecumā, četri 80-89 gadu vecumā).
Sadly, 10 more deaths were also confirmed March 19. Two victims were aged 40-49, one was aged 50-59, one was aged 60-69, two were aged 70-79, and eight were aged 80-89 years.
A total of 1,811 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
The temporary suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine has seen the national vaccination effort slow this week, though Friday is due to see a resumption. March 18 saw just 9 people getting a first Covid-19 vaccination in Latvia and 259 getting a second dose. So far 83,017 people have received a first shot and 18,661 a second dose.
According to the National Health Service (NVD) 664 patients are currently being treated in hospital for symptoms of the coronavirus, of whom 68 are displaying serious symptoms.
Meanwhile on March 19 Lithuania recorded 53 new cases of coronavirus and Estonia recorded yet 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 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.
