Failing to control the spread of Covid-19 could lead to wearing masks in the workplace as well / Article / LSM.lv

Failure to control the spread of Covid-19 could restrict alcohol trafficking and wear masks in the workplace, according to information prepared by the Ministry of Health presented at the Crisis Management Council (CMS) on planned actions to manage Covid-19 prevalence in various Covid-19 prevalence scenarios.

Today, the Ministry of Health presented the representatives of the CMS meeting with the planned action in the management of the spread of Covid-19, presenting also concrete measures to limit the spread of Covid-19. The Ministry points out that the developed criteria will allow specialists to assess the effectiveness of existing restrictions, as well as to determine additional necessary steps after a two-week period, if any.

The Ministry stressed that the first task is to stabilize the situation by gradually moving to a consistent reduction in morbidity.

In order to conclude that the Covid-19 situation has stabilized, the 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population should be in line with the average in neighboring countries, and the increase in morbidity compared to the previous week should not exceed 20%. The number of hospitalized patients must be less than the number of patients discharged from the hospital, the number of cases of unknown origin of infection must not exceed 30%, the proportion of positive tests must not exceed 4%, and the average number of persons tested per day must be at least 4000.

On the other hand, in order to conclude that the situation improves by reaching a medium level of risk, the cumulative rate should be less than 50 per 100,000 population, the increase in the incidence rate compared to the previous week should not exceed 20%, the number of patients discharged should be less than the number of patients. the number of persons with unknown origin of infection may not exceed 20%, the proportion of positive tests may not exceed 3%, and the average number of persons tested per day must be at least 3000.

The situation can be considered to have improved, reaching a low risk level, if the cumulative number of cases per 100,000 population is less than 25 per 100,000 population, the increase in the incidence rate compared to the previous week does not exceed 20%, there will be a decrease in the number of hospitalized patients, the number of cases with an unknown origin of infection will not exceed 20%, the proportion of positive tests will not exceed 2%, no cases of group disease with a large number of infected will be registered, as well as the average number of persons tested per day will be at least 2,500.

If the planned results are achieved, then educational institutions will continue to work in person, restrictions on interest education, as well as amateur groups and sports activities will be reduced (if the risks associated with these areas are eliminated).

Restrictions on catering and event organization would also be reduced. In addition, local, targeted restrictions would be set in municipalities where the 14-day cumulative morbidity rate would exceed 100 per 100,000 population.

However, if the situation cannot be stabilized and the planned results are not achieved, a number of possible courses of action have been developed, which would be in the circle of expert discussions. According to the CMS, educational institutions could continue their work by identifying the distance education process in municipalities where the 14-day cumulative morbidity rate is three times higher than the national average. Restrictions on interest education, amateur groups and sports activities could also be maintained, as well as restrictions on the operation of entertainment venues (including trampoline parks, children’s parties).

Mandatory use of mouth and nose masks at organized events, workplaces, as well as limited time for the sale of alcohol in catering and entertainment venues could be introduced.

Possible actions also include restrictions on gatherings, allowing private events to gather up to ten people, and public events up to 100 or 50 indoors and up to 500 people outdoors. As in the spring, restrictions on the opening hours of shopping centers could be considered.

The Ministry explained that it is not planned to simultaneously introduce or soften all the marked restrictions in one or the other scenario – specialists will evaluate their efficiency and justification.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health continues to work to improve the long-term strategy for limiting Covid-19 in Latvia.

It has already been reported that precautionary measures have been stepped up throughout the country for a limited period of time, on which compliance will largely depend. Epidemiologists will be able to judge the results in about two weeks.

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