In December, the majority of coronavirus infections, in families and in the workplace, increased the number of untraceable infections.

According to the epidemiologist doctor Daiva Razmuvienė, we have a high internal spread of the infection, which means that people can be infected everywhere, even without knowing that they have had contact with a particular person because they do not know it.

“In epidemiological studies, we increasingly hear people say that they do not know where they may have been infected, they list the places they have visited, but they cannot specifically identify the person with whom the coronavirus infection was confirmed and with whom they have From those named places, we can make certain assumptions that a person, for example, could have been infected in a shopping mall, public transport or elsewhere without complying with the prescribed requirements, “says Daiva Razmuvien médico, medical epidemiologist.

Specialists note that Lithuania is no exception, because in all countries there are cases where it is impossible to trace a specific source of infection due to internal spread of infection. Evaluating that cases in which people do not know how infected they are without testing is completely wrong, since the purpose of an epidemiological study is not only to identify the source of infection, but also to identify those who have been in contact with the infected and isolate them.

In December (weeks 49 to 52), up to 89.34% were examined. cases. The rest have not been studied well because the data provided in e-health is not enough – personal contacts are not indicated (tel. No.) or because people refuse to provide information due to a serious health problem.

The percentage of epidemiologically investigated cases in Lithuania is very high. The European Center for Communicable Diseases has found a good result if at least 70% of epidemiological tests are performed. cases, and the NVSC investigates almost 90% of the cases. cases of infection. In December, specialists contacted 9 out of 10 people infected with the coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This shows that public information that the NVSC has not investigated cases since the summer is false.

Epidemiologists point out that among the cases in which people do not mention the circumstances of the infection, there are also cases in which, for one reason or another, people do not want to be identified, where they were infected, where they had contact. Information about these cases also appears in public space, when, for example, a person has been infected by a colleague at work, but does not name them, because they receive pressure from the employer not to report, not to report to the specialists of the NVSC.

NVSC reminds that it is very important that when an infection is detected in a company, institution or organization, employees are properly isolated. They should also self-assess the risks if they know they have interacted with an infected colleague. If it happens that an employee, even if he is exposed to high risk, receives the order to work, the person should definitely not be afraid and turn to the relevant authorities, the State Labor Inspectorate.

An analysis of cases in December by site of infection shows that the proportion of cases in families has increased slightly compared to November. This can be seen as a consequence of the quarantine regime, since other contacts were restricted and if, for example, one of the family members was going to work or, in other words, he was in a social environment where people from different social origins, the infection entered the family in this way. .

It is also observed that family members often live with the sick and are not adequately isolated. The same trend is observed in other European countries. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control has already commented on this, noting that isolation is recommended for family members, even if they are just so-called ‘contact contacts’.

After more active use of telework, in December, compared to November, 5 percent. the number of cases related to infection in the workplace has decreased. It reached 24% in November and 19.7% in December.

Public health professionals urge people to follow all measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection: hand hygiene, cough, sneeze tag, use of personal protective equipment, physical distance, isolation requirements, etc. .