VILNIUS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- According to the health minister of Lithuania, the situation at a private hospice in the port city of Klaipeda, where most patients have been infected by the coronavirus, was "scandalous to say the least."
Thirty patients and ten employees have tested positive for the coronavirus in Klaipedos Hospisas, with one patient declared dead by the nursing home on Sunday.
"What was found out by the specialists of the NVSC (National Public Health Center), who assessed the situation, is that the institution had a hygiene passport for only one hospital bed and services. In reality, there were 38 hospital beds and the majority of the patients are infected with COVID-19," Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga was quoted as saying by local media.
The hygiene passport is a permit which shows that the conditions comply with the public health safety legislation.
The minister said that those responsible may be held liable for the situation.
Klaipedos Hospisas has been struggling to find new medical staff in order to continue its service, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Ministry of Health, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Lithuania had climbed to 1,326 by Monday morning. Thirty-seven people have died and 242 have recovered. Enditem
