Veryga reported isolation exceptions: could go into effect on Saturday

Acting Health Minister Aurelius Veryga, head of state-level emergency operations, hinted that if the situation does not continue to improve next week, the government might consider introducing additional restrictions next week.

“I would not rule out the possibility that if the figures for this weekend remain the same, the government will probably decide on additional measures on Wednesday,” the interim minister said.

When asked which sectors would be at risk of restrictions, Veryga said: “There are two sectors where people are still gathering and where change can be considered. These are the education sector, the educational institutions, another sector that is likely to be limited is the supermarkets, especially the big crowds. “

According to the interim minister, if the situation does not change, it is most likely that other restrictions will be imposed on commercial establishments.

The minister said there were no discussions about restrictions on beauty salons. There are strict requirements and they are met; the virus is not known to spread there.

No restrictions on grocery stores were discussed either.

However, Mr. Veryga did not rule out the theoretical possibility that restrictions on the movement of persons could be considered. But this will be considered by the new government.

A. Veryga, the director of the Republican Hospital Šiauliai Remigijus Mažeika and the specialist of the Department of Internal Administration of the National Center of Public Health (NVSC) Justina Petravičienė spoke about the situation of the coronavirus in Lithuania and the measures to control it at a press conference on Friday.

He explained why the numbers continue to increase.

According to the minister in charge, new patients with COVID-19 will be admitted to treatment facilities about two weeks after the number of cases increases.

Currently, people who were detected with coronavirus 2 weeks ago, when Lithuania exceeded the limit of 2 thousand cases per day, enter medical institutions. Veryga blames the irresponsible public for this.

“You mentioned that society adheres to the requirements, but we can see from the numbers that this is not necessarily the case. We know from surveys that only 50 percent. The population puts on a mask because it understands the risks. And where no one else see and no one controls, apparently completely different things happen.

We hear of family vacations, we hear of companies where cases are hidden, employees are forced to go to work. But without proof, it is difficult to prove something.

I would not rule out the possibility that if this week’s figures remain the same, the government will decide on additional restrictions on Wednesday, “said A. Veryga.

The order of isolation is changing

According to the interim minister, on Friday the harmonization of the isolation exemption procedure for those who have already contracted the COVID-19 disease will be completed. The new procedure stipulates that those who have relapsed with COVID-19 should not be isolated for 3 months after high-risk contact.

“Until now, this procedure would be valid only with certain exceptions, because we have not yet received the evaluation of medical experts. We should receive it, perhaps on Monday, and it will be possible to take into account doctors who work in nursing, care centers, staff prison and other professions when it comes to taking greater security measures. It is likely that if the specialists manage to coordinate everything today, it is possible that this order will take effect tomorrow, “promised A. Veryga.

Another amendment is related to the work of the Seimas. According to the interim minister, after talks with the Seimas Board, another exception to the corrections of the isolation procedure is foreseen.

“Members of the Seimas will be added to the list of others who can shorten the isolation; they could shorten the isolation up to 10 days with a negative test,” said the acting head of SAM.

Consider extending inability to work retroactively

Mr. Veryga also mentioned that discussions are currently taking place with the Ministry of Social Security and Labor regarding the issuance of a disability certificate.

According to the family doctors, the NVSC’s certificates of incapacity for work are delayed, so the possibility of extending the period when incapacity for work could be retroactively extended is currently being discussed.

See increasing mortality

Unfortunately, the Minister also had little knowledge: “For several weeks now, we have been seeing mortality fall off the average.

Assignments are currently being made to the Institute of Hygiene for analysis. On Monday we will discuss the causes of mortality and we will be able to tell in detail why it is currently growing, ”said A. Veryga.

The virus is widespread among pregnant women in Šiauliai.

R. Mažeika, director of the Republican Hospital of Šiauliai, said that the incidence in Šiauliai is currently twice the Lithuanian average.

“The situation is very complicated in medical institutions. I would like to address young people.

In Šiauliai, in a hospital, 8 pregnant women who had COVID-19 were born. The lives of several patients and newborns were saved. The coronavirus is very common among pregnant women. Some have recovered, but world experts do not yet know the consequences of the coronavirus for newborns and children in the future.

There are a number of miscarriages that have been reported in coronavirus patients. “Young people mistakenly think that they are not sick or have mild forms,” ​​said the head of the hospital.

R. Mažeika also said that the current picture in hospitals is very different from what was seen in the spring, when only the elderly were lying in resuscitation.

“Last day we broke another fund: 20 patients with an average age of 40 to 60 years were placed. All the conditions are confirmed severe complex pneumonia. The situation is really serious.

I understand that the public would like to hear good news, but we cannot tell the truth because we are approaching the limit when the hospital will be overcrowded. […] Today, all hospitals in Telšiai and Šiauliai have opened COVID-19 wards, they are 80-85% full. Very few reserves remain, “said R. Mažeika.

In addition, the head of the hospital stressed that there is a shortage of doctors and the current prognosis is only getting worse.

“Other regions are also moving towards a scenario like Šiauliai,” warned R. Mažeika.