The government extended the quarantine until May, with movement restrictions across the country in effect from Saturday.

The Ministry of Health proposed to the Government the duration of the quarantine regime throughout the territory of the Republic of Lithuania extended for one more month until April 30, 2021. 12pm.

The government supported this proposal.

Likewise, given the extension of the quarantine regime, the deterioration of the epidemiological situation in the country, the observation of the spread of mutations of the coronavirus virus, the approach of the festive period, which may increase the movement of people between municipalities and increase. the risk of contact, It is proposed to introduce a restriction on the movement of people between municipalities in the period from 2021. March 27 00:00 to 2021 April 6 24:00.

It is proposed to allow movement only between “circular” municipalities and for other important reasons.

The epidemiological situation is deteriorating

Statistics Lithuania, 2021 March 25 According to published data, the number of new cases in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants was 278.8 cases and the proportion of positive diagnostic tests in 7 days was 7.4%. Currently, the average number of COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) cases in 7 days is 611.4.

It is observed that in the last two weeks, both the number of cases and the proportion of positive tests began to increase. Currently, 794 people are hospitalized for COVID-19, of which 659 require oxygen therapy and 91 in the intensive care unit.

It should be noted that up to 14 municipalities in the country are currently in the “black zone”, with more than 500 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days and / or a proportion of positive diagnostic tests. .in 7 days it is higher than 10 percent.

Meanwhile, the situation in 17 municipalities is significantly better when the number of new cases in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants does not exceed 100 cases and / or the proportion of positive diagnostic tests in 7 days does not exceed 4%. The remaining municipalities fall into the “red zone” when the number of new cases in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants is between 100 and 500 cases and / or the proportion of positive diagnostic tests in 7 days is between 4 and 10 percent.

It should be mentioned that the change in the epidemiological situation may be influenced by the SARS – CoV-2 virus mutations confirmed in Lithuania, which were detected by sequencing studies. According to data from the National Public Health Laboratory, a total of 225 cases of B.1.1.7 (“British”) mutation virus have been identified so far in Lithuania.

This mutation is associated with easier spread of the virus and may be associated with high morbidity in Vilnius and other areas. This week two cases of the B.1.351 mutation (South Africa) were also confirmed.

The possible spread of the virus with this mutation is dangerous due to its inherently reduced efficacy of antibodies to neutralize the virus and the associated increased risk of reinfection with other strains or vaccinations with currently registered vaccines.