RIGA, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Latvia introduced a COVID-19 lockdown from Oct. 21 till Nov. 15 to attempt to gradual a spike in infections in one of many least vaccinated European Union nations.
“Our well being system is in peril … The one means out of this disaster is to get vaccinated,” Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins mentioned after an emergency authorities assembly, blaming low vaccination charges for the spike in hospitalisations.
Solely 54% of Latvian adults have been totally vaccinated, effectively under EU common of 74%, EU figures present.
“I’ve to apologise to the already vaccinated,” Karins mentioned, asserting that outlets, eating places, faculties and leisure shall be closed, with solely important companies accessible and a curfew in place from 8 p.m. to five a.m.
Solely important manufacturing, development and important jobs shall be allowed to proceed in particular person.
One of many two largest Riga hospitals started putting in makeshift beds for COVID-19 sufferers in its atrium to deal with the inflow, the nationwide broadcaster reported.
No journey restrictions had been introduced “since an infection charges elsewhere are a lot decrease, and we do not see fast dangers”, Karins mentioned.
New circumstances in Latvia elevated by 49% within the week to Sunday, its well being authority mentioned, in line with the BNS wire.
The Latvian authorities cancelled most deliberate hospital operations final week amid an elevated want for beds and employees as COVID-19 circumstances climb.
The nation had reported the second-worst an infection numbers within the EU, after neighbour Lithuania, within the fortnight to Oct. 10, with 864 new circumstances per 10,000 folks.
Latvian President Egils Levits examined constructive final week, prompting Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto, who had had breakfast with Levits a day earlier, to self-isolate. read more
Reporting by Janis Laizans, writing by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, modifying by Chris Reese and Giles Elgood
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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