Covid-19. February 24

Over the last 24 hours, the country has registered 631 new coronavirus infections and 10 more deaths, the Department of Statistics reported this morning.

In the last two weeks, per 100,000 inhabitants, the incidence is 247 cases.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 195,481 people have been diagnosed in Lithuania.

Statistically, 181,230 recovered (declared: 133,125 cases).

Statistical number of active cases – 7,592 (55,697 patients were declared).

Overall, 3,200 people died from COVID-19. Altogether, 6,231 deaths are associated with this infectious disease, both directly and indirectly.

The proposal to ban the wearing of cotton protective masks, leaving the use of only medical masks and respirators, is a blatant communication mistake that shows how the best becomes the enemy of good, says infectious disease specialist Professor Saulius Čaplinskas.

According to him, from the very beginning of the pandemic, the changing position in Lithuania regarding the wearing of masks has become something of an anecdote, as a result of which, the public completely loses the motivation for this type of protection.

“People cannot be told so quickly that what was good, what they were getting ready for, what they invested their money in is no longer relevant and effective. Here is another example of how the best becomes the enemy of good. It shouldn’t be like that,” says Čaplinskas.

The Council of Experts on Tuesday recommended that the cabinet of ministers oblige people to wear only medical masks or respirators, as cloth masks, shields, etc. are not as effective.

The infectious disease specialist agrees that medical masks provide better protection as they provide 90-95% protection, and cotton masks approximately 60%. However, the proposal to ban cotton masks almost a year after the pandemic started is irresponsible and demotivating.

The government did not lift the lockdown, but relaxed the restrictions. From now on, it will be possible to walk on the street without masks and the residents of six so-called ring municipalities will be able to cross the boundaries of the regions.

“Given the unfavourable epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in Lithuania and around the world, there is still a need to further limit the spread of this infection, therefore we propose extending the lockdown period throughout Lithuania for another month,” Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said at the conference.

The government decided to extend the lockdown until March 31. As previously agreed, the lockdown was to end on February 28. The board of experts said on Tuesday that an extension of the lockdown was necessary.