RIGA, Oct 18 (LETA) - Taking into consideration the rapidly rising Covid-19 incidence and the medical institution's capacity, Vidzeme Hospital in the northern Latvian city of Valmiera on Monday declared a state of emergency and temporarily suspended elective treatment, the hospital's spokeswoman Benita Brila informed LETA. 

The decision has been taken to enable the hospital to provide additional medical staff and reprofile hospital beds for treating Covid-19 patients. Vidzeme Hospital has designated 102 beds for Covid-19 patients, including eight ICU beds, by reprofiling Therapy Wards 1 and 2. 

The hospital, however, will continue to provide healthcare services to cancer patients, those who need to continue or complete treatment and urgent patients. Treatment will also be provided to pregnant women, children and patients in need of treatment to prevent disability or loss of working capacity. 

Vidzeme Hospital will continue to provide outpatient services to persons with interoperable Covid-19 certificates providing proof of vaccination or recovery from the infection, or a recent negative Covid-19 test. 

On Monday, Vidzeme Hospital was treating 62 Covid-19 patients, including four severe cases. Last weekend, the hospital admitted 29 and discharged 14 Covid-19 patients.