Professor: lack of infection vector among patients prevents COVID-19 measures in Latvia

COVID-19 infection rates continue declining in Latvia, but efforts are impeded by the fact that it is not possible to determine the vector of infection, said Riga Stradins University Public Health and Epidemiology Faculty Prof. Ģirts Briģis in a conversation with LETA.

Data from Disease Monitoring and Prevention Centre (SPKC) shows that in April the number of COVID-19 patients started reducing gradually. In May, however, the reduction trend has stopped, fluctuating around 300 active COVID-19 cases in the past several weeks.

Birģis explained this stagnation comes from the large number of people whose infection vector cannot be traced. This means the virus continues spreading, even though the spread is not major, allows the professor.

The second major factor that affects the number of patients includes obstacles in the form of institutions in which virus outbreaks are observed. ‘These cases cause a slight surge in the number of infections. The good news is that when compared to the number of persons who have made a full recovery with the number of patients under active infection stage, the number of recoveries is larger. Generally the number of infections is in decline. What we have to keep in mind is that the virus is not gone,’ explained Briģis.

RSU professor stresses it is necessary to move towards the situation when there is no longer a single active COVID-19 patient. He explained it is enough for a single infected person for the illness to spread.

«Every uncovered case is significant. It is not normal to have any specific number of patients. Such a compromise is not possible,» stresses RSU professor.

When asked how the spread of the virus could continue if the government decides to not extend the state of emergency, Briģis stressed the state of emergency is a legal, not epidemiological term. According to him, if the government decides to reduce restrictions, it means the state goes for a compromise between disease prevention and economic recovery interests, knowing reduction of restrictions creates a risk of the illness spreading.

«From the position of state, economic and social matters, it is necessary to take the compromise. Considering the situation is stable and gradually moving towards improving, restrictions are gradually reduced,» said Briģis.

Speaking of reduced restrictions on gatherings, Briģis said when considering reducing restrictions the government looked at practice elsewhere. Nevertheless, according to the professor, although it is a compromise decision, it has no scientific backing.

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Briģis stresses that there aren’t many restrictions for people, there are more recommendations and invitations. The professor believes Latvian residents are very reasonable when it comes to following recommendations, unlike other countries, where residents oppose restrictions. ‘In any case, law or not, people’s attitude towards COVID-19 prevention plays a major role,’ says RSU professor.

RSU professor reminds that there is no cure from COVID-19 – doctors are focused at reducing symptoms. ‘For example, if a person has pneumonia and difficulty with breathing, efforts are put into making it easier to breathe. But there is no treatment that affects the virus. As time passes, immunity is formed, which allows the patient to beat the virus,’ said Briģis.

Researchers are unable to say how long immunity against COVID-19 lasts. Because the virus is relatively new, there aren’t many good research efforts, nor is there much data and evidence. Certain publications suggest it is possible for a person who has recovered from COVID-19 to become infected again. «In such cases it is not possible to say if it’s the same infection acting up again or if it’s a new infection. There are concerns if immunity last for life or if it wears off over time. This is one of the unclear sides of how long immunity lasts,» said Briģis.

On 15 May Baltic States opened their internal borders to allow free movement of residents. When asked if this step could generate more COVID-19 infections, Briģis said any travel is currently very risky. «In Baltic States the situation is more or less similar, which means the risks are similar as well. Risks will not increase considerably with free cross-border movement. By opening borders among the three Baltic States, we remain under the same risks,» says RSU professor.