Each of us can transmit the virus without knowing it: asymptomatic cases cannot be avoided.

The Korona STOP website says:

Currently, the following test procedure is in effect for people who have experienced cold symptoms: fever, cough, suffocation:

If you are 61 years of age or older or have a chronic illness, call 112.
If you are under 61 years old, call your family doctor.

Mandatory inpatient examination may be prescribed by a general practitioner or specialist who has consulted and operated on the patient.

Coronavirus hotline tel. Enrollment in 1808 is possible due to symptoms upon return from abroad, after contact with a probable coronavirus carrier, as well as for preventive examinations (they can be organized in specific municipalities).

Priority research is given to people who experience symptoms of an acute respiratory infection or those who are scheduled for planned medical intervention services.

Investigate asymptomatic or not?

Professor Saulius Čaplinskas, director of the Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS (ULAC), believes that as many people as possible should be studied. Currently, the Ministry of Health (SAM) has narrowed the pool of people who can be tested for COVID-19, and a ULAC representative calls it a step back.

“What is most important now in the epidemiology of COVID-19? My Answer: Find out where the virus is “sleeping”. Public statements have emerged that people’s vacations are “guilty” of the increase in the number of COVID-19 in Lithuania, as it “awakens” the virus. I think that in order not to “wake up” the virus, you must first know where you “sleep”, Professor S. Čaplinskas writes on Facebook.

According to Professor Mindaugas Stankūnas of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), he currently sees no reason to change anything essential in terms of research. According to him, the current research system is appropriate.

“At this time, I see no reason to fundamentally change anything. The Lithuanian testing procedure meets the requirements of international organizations and according to the number of tests per 1 million population, we are among the top countries in the world.

– The cost-benefit analysis should also be considered. Testing costs a lot of money for taxpayers, will we really get any tangible benefit from expanding the scope of testing? I can’t answer that now. “

Prof. According to S. Čaplinskas, as many people as possible should be tested for the colon virus.

“Now we are like we are stepping back again, and we are going to lose those dream numbers again,” the ULAC chief told Delfi.

“If so, we will continue to run after us unless we try to radically prevent the spread by these means.”

Prof. Mr. Stankūnas says that if a person does not experience symptoms, if they have not had contact with the patient, there is no need for that person to be tested. However, the interviewee responded positively to the intentions of the Ministry of Health to carry out a representative seroepidemiological study. According to him, this study would help answer the question of how many people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and will help understand what morbidity can be expected during the second wave of the epidemic.

“Why is this important? So that we know what containment measures (quarantine) may be necessary and that we can adequately prepare for the second wave of COVID-19. Today, it is very important for us to know what population immunity against COVID-19, however, it has been acquired in patients with this disease (both symptomatic and asymptomatic), says Professor M. Stankūnas.

– We cannot trust the data from other countries, because the dynamics of COVID-19 in each country (and even in each area) is unique (due to the quarantine measures applied, the actual situation as observed, etc.), therefore, such a study is necessary in selected areas of Lithuania. Such studies are recommended to countries by the World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Control. “

Veryga: asymptomatic cases cannot be avoided

At a press conference on Friday, Health Minister Aurelius Veryga Delfi asked if the SAM chief did not believe that the general public should be investigated to prevent the asymptomatic spread of the virus.

“What is the point of investigating in some different or broader way? the general public should be investigated – “Delphi”), – commented Minister A. Veryga.

– Asymptomatic cases, yes, do occur and are unlikely to be avoided in any way and we still do not have the opportunity to evaluate the entire population, <...> Lithuania is already among the countries that evaluate its population most intensively. At least for now, to the extent that we monitor the information, what is really very important is what is called targeted testing. It is very important to evaluate people who have symptoms, because from what is clear, at least from the experience of other countries and, apparently, our experience shows the same that those symptomatic people are still the most contagious and, if they are in the company, in a larger group a person with symptoms, there are significantly more infected people there. “

The minister added that the broadest evidence from the highest risk municipalities also remains.

For the time being, we follow that strategy, if that epidemiological study reveals some trends or international recommendations appear, than others, of course, Lithuania will adapt to them and we will adjust our testing strategy.

In the party calls be careful

The ULAC chief says that much is already known about the spread of the virus.

“We know that the virus spreads not only in the usual air droplets by large droplets, but also by small droplets, which can remain in the air for a longer time and it is natural that during that vacation, if a person becomes infected and spreads many virus, it will spread many viruses, – says Prof. S. Čaplinskas. – But the sick people generally will not go to such a celebration. With it, you will probably receive a dose of the virus that will help your healthy human immune system recover.

However, if people stay at the festival for a long time, even with little spread of the virus, the person spreads a lot over time.

“That is why many people can become infected. It is important what the person was sitting next to the party, who they danced and sang with, it will be higher for some, lower for others, but the risk will probably remain. Not all They will wear masks at the party, says the ULAC chief.

– This risk will always be present until the virus has completely stopped or a vaccine has been developed. So far, that is not planned. “

SAM recommendations for organizing personal celebrations:

Ministry of Health in view of the adverse disease COVID-19 (coronavirus
infection) epidemic situation, from 2020 onwards. March 16 00.00 the quarantine regime announced in the country, and
Government of the Republic of Lithuania 2020 March 14 Resolution no. 207 “About the quarantine of Lithuania
In the territory of the Republic “offers recommendations for personal celebrations (baptisms,
weddings, anniversaries, etc.) during non-public quarantine:
• If possible, it is recommended to postpone the vacation;
• If a celebration is organized, limit the number of participants with the participation of the closest people;
• Persons who must be isolated cannot participate in the celebration during the period of isolation;
• The participation of people belonging to risk groups is not recommended: over 60 years.
people and / or people suffering from chronic diseases called serious chronic diseases due to
during which a person receives a work disability during an emergency or quarantine period
certificate, listing: human immunodeficiency virus disease; malignant tumors (if diagnosed with
if there was an exacerbation and if less than 2 years have passed since the end of treatment); Diabetes; heart
and vascular disease with chronic heart failure grade 2-4; chronic respiratory diseases
with respiratory failure; chronic kidney disease with kidney failure; condition after
autologous bone marrow and organ transplants; diseases that are currently being treated for general illnesses or
selective chemotherapy or radiotherapy and diseases after the end of treatment with these methods
less than 2 years have passed; diseases that are currently being treated with immunosuppression corresponding to methylprednisolone
10 mg / kg / day and diseases for which 6 months have not elapsed since the end of this treatment; congenital
immunodeficiency; Other serious chronic diseases with immunosuppressive therapy. If the risk
group members participate in the celebration, it is recommended to keep a safe distance (at least
2 meters) from other people.
• People with acute upper respiratory tract infections and others cannot attend the celebration.
signs of infectious diseases (eg fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.);
• Festival participants must follow the following recommendations:
o Cough, sneeze label (cough or sneeze under a disposable napkin or in a
inside the bent elbow),
and personal hygiene (keep a safe distance from other people, do not attend the celebration if
symptoms of acute respiratory infection, etc.)
and hand hygiene (wash your hands with warm soapy water if you cannot wash your hands,
– use hand antiseptics (disinfectants)).