After Lithuanian towns and cities unveiled their Christmas lights over the weekend, the country’s epidemiologists are saying that the number of new coronavirus infections are likely to spike by the end of the week.
“The public health specialists are watching this whole situation in horror,” Justina Petravičienė from the National Public Health Centre (NVSC) told LRT TV.
This year, the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies were moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, groups of people did gather around the Christmas lights over the weekend.
Read more: Lighting up for Christmas. Lithuanian towns unveil their decorations
And although the crowds were small, “we are in a situation now where every additional social contact is an additional risk and an opportunity for the infection statistics to rise”, said Petravičienė.
“I can imagine how the medics are looking at [this situation], who are [doing their best] to save the lives of people who need lung ventilation, who need intensive care,” she added.
The government has prolonged the second nationwide quarantine until December 17. However, people are allowed to gather in groups of no larger than five, or bigger if from the same household.
Read more: Lithuania extends quarantine until mid-December, to ease restrictions on museums
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
