A.Veryga: COVID-19 testing can be done at airports, solutions for shorter self-isolation are maturing

“Airports have expressed that wish and desire. I don’t think that matters to us,” the minister told reporters on Thursday.

Passengers from airports and seaports have been screened in Estonia since Tuesday.

If the answer to the test is negative, the self-isolation rules are relaxed for the person, and if the test is negative and it is repeated, the self-isolation time is shortened.

According to A.Veryga, people at Lithuanian airports could be assessed using so-called rapid tests, when the answer is received within an hour.

However, he doubts that responses to these tests can change the self-isolation rules.

According to the minister, the highest probability of detecting coronavirus in a person is found in a test seven to nine days after infection, so the test is more useful after this time after returning to Lithuania.

“Maybe people just want to make sure, but if we talk about shortening the isolation period, then the test should not be done immediately after arrival, but after at least seven days,” said the head of the ministry.

“Only then could the isolation be shortened,” he added.

See the press conference broadcast from the Ministry of Health (SAM) here:

A solution for shorter self-isolation is coming

The minister also said he was discussing with specialists the possibility of shortening the mandatory isolation from two weeks by conducting a coronavirus test after seven to nine days.

“These solutions are currently being coordinated and prepared.” … We will most likely have these decisions next week, “he said.

According to the minister, such molecular diagnostic tests (PCR) are expected to be free.

“A person would not have to pay for such a test if they wanted to do it and come out of self-isolation earlier,” said A. Veryga.

The intrigue about Latvia

Latvia announced on Wednesday that with the increase in coronavirus cases in Lithuania, incoming Lithuanians will need to isolate themselves for two weeks.

Such a requirement will apply if on Friday the number of cases in Lithuania reaches 16 cases per 100,000. population in the last 14 days.

According to A.Veryga, this indicator now reaches 15.5 cases.

“This is very close to the threshold that we can enter (the list of countries affected is 15 minutes), or where we can go ”, said the minister.

“There is still intrigue,” he added.

A.Veryga warned that the decisions on self-isolation in Latvia come into force very quickly, therefore, if the country introduces such a requirement for Lithuanians, it will not be possible to go to the neighboring country even during the next weekend.

According to the minister, Latvians have already accused Lithuania of flying from countries affected by COVID-19.

According to A.Veryga, in Latvia it is required to observe a social distance of two meters, in Lithuania – one.

In addition, bars and clubs in Latvia are open 24 hours a day. The minister proposed to make a similar decision in Lithuania on Wednesday, but the government disagreed.

20 new cases

20 new cases of coronavirus were detected in Lithuania on Wednesday. 2,978 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the country.

11 of them are in Vilnius county, new outbreaks in Raseiniai and Panevėžys

In 1901, people recovered from the disease and 978 fell ill. 5549 individuals need to be isolated at this time.

86 people also died of coronavirus in Lithuania. Thirteen people died from other causes despite being infected with COVID-19.

The country’s hospitals are currently treating 50 people with coronavirus, seven of them in resuscitation and intensive care units, said Daiva Razmuvienė, chief specialist in the Division of Infectious Disease Management at the National Center for Public Health (NVSC).

According to her, artificial lung ventilation is applied to three people and 19 people are treated with oxygen masks.