In all 1,040 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on December 17, according to the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC), the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic reaching 28,535 on Thursday.
The previous highest daily total was 1,023 cases recorded just 24 hours previously.
Of 10,344 tests carried out in the previous 24 hours, 10.1% were positive, almost the same as the 10.3% figure on Wednesday.
In addition, twelve more deaths were confirmed. Two victims were aged 50-60 years, five were aged 60-70, four were aged 70-80, and one was aged 80-90.
So far 394 people have died from the coronavirus in Latvia since the start of the pandemic.
? Pēdējo 24h laikā:
— SPKC.gov.lv (@SPKCentrs) December 17, 2020
▫️veikti 10 344 Covid-19 izmeklējumi;
▫️reģistrēti 1040 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️miruši 12 cilvēki (divi vecumā no 50-60 gadiem, pieci vecumā no 60-70 gadiem, četri vecumā no 70-80 gadiem, viens vecumā no 80-90 gadiem).
According to the National Health Service (NVD), 833 patients are currently being treated for the symptoms of coronavirus in Latvian hospitals (exactly the same as Wednesday's figure). Of that number 786 have moderate symptoms, while 47 have serious symptoms.
Jauni Covid-19 gadījumi stacionāros – 115 (t. sk. 5 pārvesti). Kopā stacionāros ārstējas 833 pacienti: 786 ar vidēji smagu slimības gaitu, 47 ar smagu slimības gaitu. Pēdējās diennakts laikā no stacionāra izrakstīti 98 pacienti (t. sk. 5 pārvesti) – kopā 2329.
— NVD (@VMNVD) December 17, 2020
All three Baltic states continue to battle the virus. On December 17, Estonia reported 733 new cases of coronavirus and four deaths, while Lithuania remains the hardest-hit with 3,159 new cases and 30 deaths confirmed Thursday.
COVID-19 information
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.
As reported previously by LSM, the full regulations relating to the current state of emergency in force until January 11 are now available to read online in English translation. The government is set to announce revised restrictions later on December 17.
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.
There is also an information line to answer any questions you might have about the veracity of facts about COVID-19 on 8345.
The SPKC has information in English about the approved methods of protecting yourself from the virus.
All arrivals (including returnees) need to fill in an electronic declaration prior to coming to Latvia. It is available at the website covidpass.lv.