Czech COVID-19 cases rising at fastest rate in Europe

The Czech Republic reported a record 4,457 new coronavirus cases in a single day, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday, as a spike in infections over the past month is now rising at Europe's fastest pace. The daily rise in new COVID-19 cases, recorded on Tuesday, surpassed a previous record of 3,794 to bring the total number of cases recorded since March to 90,022 - a fourfold increase since Aug. 25.


Reuters | Prague | Updated: 07-10-2020 15:29 IST | Created: 07-10-2020 14:53 IST
Czech COVID-19 cases rising at fastest rate in Europe
Representative Image. Image Credit: ANI
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The Czech Republic reported a record 4,457 new coronavirus cases in a single day, Health Ministry data showed on Wednesday, as a spike in infections over the past month is now rising at Europe's fastest pace.

The daily rise in new COVID-19 cases, recorded on Tuesday, surpassed a previous record of 3,794 to bring the total number of cases recorded since March to 90,022 - a fourfold increase since Aug. 25. Hospitalizations have soared tenfold in that period to add strain on the healthcare system.

Over the past two weeks, the Czech Republic has reported 326.8 cases per 100,000, surpassing for the first time Spain, which has seen 302.4 cases per 100,000, according to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data collected by Oct. 6. The Czech government, like others in Europe, is struggling to contain a rise in infections that is stronger than in March and April.

But the country is looking to avoid the same strict lockdowns that shut shops, restaurants, and schools and prompted many factories to go idle, hammering the economy in the second quarter. Health Minister Roman Prymula said that a tightening of existing measures will be announced on Friday, focusing on past-time activities.

"Let's assume that just about everything will be tighter for the next 14 days," he said. The state has introduced stricter face mask rules and limited bar opening hours and the number of people to a table in restaurants. It has also banned musical performances from Monday for two weeks.

The government wants to avoid putting too much strain on its hospitals and has said enough beds are still available but further increases in infections could require the reorganization of care and the postponing of non-urgent procedures. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has climbed to 1,387, of which 326 are in intensive care - more than three times the peak seen when the outbreak first hit.

Also Read: Czech health minister says new restrictions likely as COVID cases spike

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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