Covid-19. March 9

Over the past day, 462 new cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed and 4 deaths have been reported, the Department of Statistics said today.

In the last two weeks, out of 100,000 inhabitants, the incidence is 237.4 cases.

The percentage of positive diagnostic tests in the last seven days is 6%.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 202,900 cases have been diagnosed in Lithuania.

Statistically 189,070 people recovered (declared: 144,851).

Statistical number of active cases – 6,629 (declared 50,848).

3,341 people have died of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Altogether, 6,725 deaths are associated with this infectious disease, both directly and indirectly.

The government’s council of experts proposes to open more places of trade, said the spokeswoman for the prime minister.

“At the meeting of the board of experts, it was decided to submit a proposal to open more sales locations. Final requirements will be discussed with business representatives,” said Rasa Jakilaitienė.

As Jakilaitienė said, the experts also considered the possibility of easing the quarantine conditions during the Easter season, but no appropriate decision was made.

“Decisions on easing during Easter have not been taken because it is too early to do so. The situation may change in a few days, so it is worth postponing such decisions to a later period and taking into account the epidemiological situation at that time,” she said.

As the British variant of the coronavirus spreads rapidly in Estonia, a strict quarantine will be imposed there from Thursday and will last at least a month, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said on Monday.

“According to the latest data, the British virus strain is present in 98 percent of the samples analysed. As far as we know, this variant spreads 1.5 times faster and is particularly contagious,” the prime minister said on public television, “For this reason, the Scientific Council also confirmed that the reason for the spread of the virus so rapidly is that this strain has only reached us in recent weeks. That is why we decided to close the country as far as possible.”

“All retail, except basic goods and groceries, will also be closed, all catering establishments will be closed, indoor sports will also be prohibited,” she said.

“The restrictions will be in place for at least one month and will take effect on Thursday. All these activities are aimed at reducing the number of contacts and breaking the chain of infection,” explained K. Kallas.