Message from the presidency: Encouraging news that the peak of the pandemic is behind us

After this meeting, a remote press conference was organized with the participation of S. Krėpšta, Professor Mindaugas Stankūnas, prof. Edited by Sužiedėlienė and prof. Kęstutis Petrikonis.

There is still a long way to go before the quarantine is relaxed

“Regarding the development of the pandemic, it can be said that due to the festive period there is an additional so-called data noise. As a result, it is not yet possible to say whether the situation is improving.

However, we see additional hopeful insights, and there is a possibility that the peak of the pandemic has already passed. Of course, this will need to be confirmed next week with data from next week, when we will have the usual volume of testing because we had less testing to run during the holiday weeks. But we are still in a bad situation <...> and there is still a long way to go before deliberations on the relaxation of the quarantine are considered, ”warned S. Krėpšta.

According to the President’s Advisor, even if we have really crossed the top, we are still in a very serious pandemic situation.

“There is still a long way to go before the quarantine is relaxed and it is very important to comply with the requirements, all the restrictions and continue to focus on reducing all the numbers. So there is definitely a long time before the quarantine is relaxed. Furthermore, the system of quarantine levels presented yesterday provides certain indications as to when it might be possible to consider the revision of these requirements ”, promised S. Krėpšta.

It is important not to be wrong

According to Professor M. Stankūnas, the situation remains very difficult, but every day there are hopeful signs that perhaps the worst times are over.

“I just want to emphasize that we would be making a big mistake if we supported those small and weak signals in our victory and that we can already announce that we have overcome the virus and that the situation is constantly improving. Many of the figures that are being discussed should be considered a lot of noise. epidemiological, ”said M. Stankūnas.

According to the professor, the quarantine measures significantly reduced the mobility of Lithuanians. This is also reflected in Google’s mobility data.

“Good trends that were observed during the Christmas period, were maintained on New Year’s Day. This is one of the positive signs. The second positive aspect that we are seeing, but which still needs to be treated with special caution, is the number of new cases. <...> Let’s hope that when we are at 4,000, we won’t see such a number, ”said M. Stankūnas.

The researcher also talked about the effective rate R, which shows the rate of spread of the virus. Now he has reached a threshold lower than 1. However, the teacher stresses that only next week will the situation be more certain.

“There is also a decrease in positive tests. This means that when we examine more tests, we find a smaller percentage of them positive, ”said M. Stankūnas.

According to him, according to the criteria provided in the quarantine scenarios, Lithuania had to stop living in scenario A, when there are almost no restrictions, and introduce a stricter quarantine on September 20. Scenario B lasted until October 21, after which the quarantine had to be stricter.

“Level C ended on November 7. Then we had to apply the strictest measures, which were applied only on December 16, ”taught M. Stankūnas.

4 issues discussed

The president’s advisor told reporters that 4 issues were discussed in the meeting with the president.

In particular, the evolution of the pandemic. Second, recommendations on how to improve the quality of tests performed and the quality of laboratory work. Third, according to S. Krėpšta, a review of the previous recommendations was carried out and it was assessed which of them have already been implemented. Future activities of the Council of Health Experts were also discussed.

According to the Advisor to the President, the team of the Health Expert Council convened by G. Nausėda will change the nature of the work in the future and will withdraw from operational actions and move on to scientific issues. It will also help the president prepare for conferences on pandemic management.

He evaluated the decision on the sermons.

Mr. Krėpšta was asked how the president evaluated the Church’s decision to resume public services starting next week.

We remind you that on Tuesday the Episcopal Conference of Lithuania decided to resume public services with the people from next Monday, January 11, limiting the number of believers.

“First of all, we would like to thank the Church community for the restrictions imposed during the holiday period and for the dedicated services.

The second important thing is that in this case, as in other cases, it is important to comply with the quarantine requirements. That change, which is now in place, is allowed under quarantine requirements.

Third, it is probably important to pay attention to the fact that people who go to some institutions measure their risk, ”said S. Krėpšta.

Professor M. Stankūnas said that before the decision to renew the services, the Lithuanian Episcopal Conference consulted him on the matter and the scientist expressed his fears to the pastors.

“Lithuanian pastors take the numbers and the situation very seriously, they take everyone for and against very seriously. I told you all the risks. It was definitely heard. I cannot comment on what decision they will make, but that sincere wish to listening and assessing the situation from all sides has been done in general ”, said the professor.

Mr. Stankūnas stated that he had suggested not to rush to resume services.