The country’s chief epidemiologist: The second wave in Lithuania is past its peak, but the third threat has emerged

In Lithuania, a decrease in morbidity has been recorded for 20 consecutive days. We are sorry for the results of the extremely strict quarantine in mid-December, but according to the epidemiologist, it is necessary to continue to maintain the same situation.

“We should be glad that the number of cases is decreasing fast enough, morbidity rates are also decreasing. However, we must recognize that the morbidity rate is still high enough since they started to decline. Therefore, when evaluating the whole situation, we must assess not only the overall morbidity rate on individual days, but also the proportion of positive studies.

Combining both indicators – both decreasing morbidity rates, we also see a positive test rate that roughly doubles. They are very good indicators, they allow you to rejoice in the current situation that is improving. But we still have to maintain this situation, “said L. Ašoklienė.

The country’s chief epidemiologist said the numbers are declining due to current quarantine restrictions.

“Therefore, I would not want that indicator to change if we do something too soon.” We have many examples of this type in Europe, when quarantine regimes are released too early, “said the expert.

According to data from last week, there were only 6 countries in Europe where morbidity rates were increasing. But there are as many as 14 this week.

“We are among the countries where morbidity is decreasing, but we would not want to be on the list of countries where the indicators start to grow again,” L. Ašoklienė told the “Delfi rytas” program.

The country’s chief epidemiologist assured that the second wave in Lithuania had already reached and passed its peak.

“The curve is very typical, the descent is very pleasant. He just wouldn’t want to travel to the third wave when it was released. I would like to keep those measurements as long as possible. And we had to reach the level of morbidity that was at the beginning of October, controlled, when it was possible to track all the cases, clarify contacts, then the scope of the tests was high, “said the interviewee of the program.

L. Ašoklienė said that he understood that quarantine fatigue was felt, but that it was necessary to maintain it “a little”.

“We need to make sure that the falls are sustainable and that we can control the situation. In those few weeks, morbidity rates should decline even more, and then it is possible to talk about changes in quarantine requirements,” said the country’s chief epidemiologist. .

He said he also supported the idea of ​​support bubbles, which was reintroduced to the government on Monday.

“It just came to our knowledge then. If two households are mixed, it does not mean that one day is possible with one, the other – with another”, – the important nuances were explained by the interlocutor.

Epidemiologist L. Ašoklienė recalled that, although morbidity is decreasing, about 20 percent of cases persist when the cause of the infection cannot be traced.

“Outbreaks are also detected in kindergartens in some municipalities, although they are operating at partial capacity. Outbreaks persist, the problem persists mainly in medical institutions, nursing and care facilities. But vaccination has started and when the vast majority of employees and staff are vaccinated, those outbreaks and deaths should decrease, ”L. Ašoklienė presented the latest information on the program.

He said that if the quarantine was launched now, the desired rate of 200 cases per day would be reached much later.

Under current quarantine restrictions, L. Ašoklienė predicted that this number could be reached in the second half of February.

“The more we release, the further the upgrade phase will advance,” said L. Ašoklienė, the country’s chief epidemiologist, about trends in the epidemiological situation in the “Delfi rytas” program.