Preparing for new coronavirus outbreaks and possible predictions

We did not have to wait long for the second wave. The number of cases of coronavirus infection is increasing in Lithuania. The Ministry of Health is responding to the changing situation, so at the beginning of each week, the Minister of Health and the Head of State Emergency Operations Centre Aurelijus Veryga, determines which municipalities need to intensify testing, taking into account new morbidity rates.

Correspondingly, more epidemiological analysis is being carried out too. National Public Health Center (NPHC) director Robertas Petraitis says that currently the main task of the centre is to localize and prevent further spread of the virus.

‘After confirming a case of the coronavirus infection, NPHC contacts the patient and tries to clear out the potential circumstances of the infection. An analysis of these circumstances determines whether a person is involved in an already existing outbreak or whether it is a new case of infection. Recently, most cases are related to already existing outbreaks. Therefore, we can say that there is a spread within the country, ‘ explained Petraitis. According to NPHC, there are about 14000 people staying in self-isolation now.

To prevent the virus infection from entering the country, a weekly list of affected countries from which isolation is required upon arrival is approved. ‘It is very important that people arriving from abroad register, i.e. submit their data to the NPHC. This is necessary in order to contact all those who were travelling together and to inform them about the risk, ‘ said the NPHC director.

Epidemiologists note that with the approach of the flu season, the incidence of various respiratory infections and flu may increase. According to R. Petraitis, this can have a significant impact on the spread of coronavirus.

‘We will spend more and more time indoors, where the conditions for the spread of infections are more favourable than outdoors. All this is likely to affect the incidence of coronavirus, ‘ predicted the director of NPHC.

Remain vigilant

A pandemic breakthrough can be already noticed, but there are still no strict regulations. However, in order to control the situation, the Lithuanian police is employed to help ensure that the population does not forget to observe security measures in public.

According to Ramūnas Matonis, Head of the Communication Unit of the Police Department, the control is not that strict now, but the number of infringements is much lower too. However, inspections are still ongoing.

Police are checking whether people comply with the self-isolation requirements. Some violations have been recorded, but not too much, so the work is going on fairly smoothly, ’ said Matonis.

NPHC director noticed, that people follow the changing regulations. Such public awareness contributes to more successful pandemic control. ‘People calling NPHC usually ask what procedures are applied when arriving in Lithuania from abroad, whether they will be obliged to isolate or not, whether after a coronavirus test and a negative result, self-isolation can be terminated, etc. ‘ mentioned Petraitis.

‘We also get a lot of calls from people who have been in contact with infected persons. I would like to express my gratitude for people, who call, as this way it is easier for epidemiologists to find out who the person has been in contact with. Currently, it is possible to report it on our website, ‘ explained R. Petraitis.

Both Matonis and Petraitis claimed, that they managed to learn a lot from the first wave of the infection. Therefore, the second wave should be managed quite successfully.

’ It is much easier now . We have a lot of protection means as well as we have arranged legal matters. The predictions were worrying, but we have prepared a plan in case half of the police staff would get sick, but we managed to avoid that, ’ said Matonis.

Meanwhile, the director of the NPHC encourages residents to keep in mind the basic security requirements. ’I think we have learned a lot from the first wave. We have learned to work remotely, we have learned to wash our hands frequently and correctly, to disinfect them, we are used to wearing masks in gatherings. I call on people to be responsible, not to forget these measures, and to apply them in a timely manner. I believe that together we will overcome this virus,’ said Petraitis.

Information of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania