Emergency care
Until January 4, hospitals have suspended scheduled inpatient care services. A range of other services, including emergency care, oncological treatment, outpatient care and others are still available.
The biggest problem, according to Latvian Association of Hospitals chair Jevgēņijs Kalējs, is that the medical staff themselves contract COVID-19 or are contact persons. That together with the large influx of patients means that not everyone can be helped.
Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) representative Ilze Bukša said that paramedics are ready to work even more intensively. She asked the public not to be afraid to call for assistance when it is really necessary. 113 should be called if there is a life-threatening situation: loss of consciousness, stroke, heart attack, sudden chest pains, trouble breathing, severe bleeding or life-threatening injury.
Assistance in non-urgent situations
If the situation does not require emergency care, you should contact your GP. Many clinics have agreed to work over the holidays. If medical advice is needed, you can call the GP consultative line 66016001.
Emergency doctors will be available in cases where prescription or sick leave is needed and the GP is not working. National Health Service has a map of available emergency doctors here.
In cases of flare-ups of acute or chronic diseases, home treatment will be ensured. Decisions related to this are taken by the GP or the emergency doctor.
COVID-19 testing without referral
Until January 3, COVID-19 tests do not require a doctor's referral if there are symptoms.
You can sign up for COVID-19 tests in the following ways:
• Centralized line - 8303
• Central Laboratory – 8330
• E. Gulbja Laboratory – 67801112
• MFD Laboratory - 66164606
• NMS Laboratory – 67144015
• National Scientific Institute “BIOR” – 28369560
• on the home page of the Riga East Clinical University Hospital
• on the website of E. Gulbja Laboratory
• Central Laboratory – by e-mail [email protected] indicating first name, surname and phone number.
