The total number of cases detected since the start of the pandemic now stands at 97,409, with the 100,000 total likely to be crossed in coming days.
Of 4,931 tests carried out in the last 24 hours, 5.3% were positive, up on the 4.5% rate the day before. 4% 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 from 372.2 Saturdayto 371.0 Sunday. 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 21, 2021
▫️veikts 4931 Covid-19 izmeklējums;
▫️reģistrēti 260 jauni inficēšanās gadījumi;
▫️saņemti ziņojumi par 5 mirušajiem (divi 60-69 gadu vecumā, divi 70-79 gadu vecumā, viens 90-99 gadu vecumā).
Five more deaths were also confirmed March 20. Two victims were aged 60-69, two were aged 70-79, and one was aged 90-99 years.
A total of 1,826 people have now died in Latvia as a result of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic according to official statistics.
March 20 saw 339 people getting a first Covid-19 vaccination in Latvia and none getting a second dose. So far 83,737 people have received a first shot and 18,963 a second dose.
According to the National Health Service (NVD) 653 patients are currently being treated in hospital for symptoms of the coronavirus, of whom 66 are displaying serious symptoms.
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.