Current status of the COVID-19 outbreak in Riga and Latvia

April 6, 2020

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The outbreak of COVID-19 is evolving rapidly, and the risk assessment is changing accordingly. The Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) is continuously assessing the risk for Latvia’s citizens and updating information on the prevalence of COVID-19 in the regions of Latvia every day at 10:00. A total of 18,198 tests for COVID have been performed in Latvia and 493 persons confirmed to be infected. Riga currently has the highest number of patients with a morbidity range from 101 to 250 persons. Until 06.04.2020. there are 1 fatality reported. One can find the latest information and daily updates on Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) website section about coronavirus: https://spkc.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates/get/nid/757 and on website of Ministry of Health: http://www.vm.gov.lv/lv/aktualitates/koronavirusa_izraisita_slimiba_covid19/

Protection measures for persons who have recently traveled

Travellers who have arrived in Latvia from affected area, should take special protection measures – self-isolation and carefully monitor their health for 14 days after their arrival in Latvia incl., taking body temperature twice a day. These requirements do not apply to transport service personnel returning from business trips if they do not show signs of acute respiratory infection and are not recognized as contact persons.

If sudden onset of at least one of the following simptoms occors – cough, fever, shortness of breath please restrict contact with people nearby, but in case it is not possible, keep distance of at least two meters from them, and call 8303 immediately.

If the symptoms are mild, the State Emergency Medical Service will come to your place of residence (e.g., home, hotel, etc.) and collect the samples required for the diagnostic testing. You will not be taken to the hospital and will remain in your residence. In case of positive results, you will get information by phone and contact tracing will commence immediately by epidemiologists of Centre for Diseases prevention and Control. Please follow further recommendations of the local health authority.

If the symptoms are severe, the State Emergency Medical Service will take you to the hospital and the diagnostic testing will be done while you will be hospitalized.

What should I do if I develop symptoms?

If you develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, you should immediately call the number 8303 and inform the health care provider about your symptoms and of any recent travel

If the symptoms are mild, the State Emergency Medical Service of Latvia (NMPD) will come to your place of residence (e.g., home, hotel, etc.) and collect the samples required for the diagnostic testing. You will not be taken to the hospital and will remain in your residence.
If the symptoms are severe, the State Emergency Medical Service of Latvia (NMPD) health care providers will take you to the hospital and the diagnostic testing will be done while you are in hospitalization.

Positive results, who had not been hospitalized, will be telephoned, and contact tracing will commence immediately by SPKC epidemiologists. Please follow further directions of the local health authority.

If you have any questions regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 and your travels, please call Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) help line 67387661 (open 8.30-21.00 working days).

Recommendations for international travellers

It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.

General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance from persons showing symptoms remain particularly important for all travellers.

Trustworthy sources

Official information about COVID-19 spread in Latvia