Czech Republic reports record daily increase in COVID-19 cases

The Czech Republic on Tuesday confirmed 4,457 new cases of COVID-19, a fresh daily high, according to Health Ministry data published on Wednesday.

The hike brings the total number of cases recorded since the virus was first detected in the country in March to 90,022.

The previous record of single-day jump, at 3,796, was set on Friday.

Hospitalizations and deaths have also swelled since September when a new wave of coronavirus began in the country.

Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said that hospitals could be at full capacity by the end of October, but he ruled out a complete lockdown at this stage.

“Despite all the measures that have been put in place, the curve (number of infected) is still growing. It will put pressure on medical capacity over time,” he said.

According to Hamacek, new measures will be announced on Friday, focusing on leisure activities rather than the ones that may damage the economy.

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The government has already imposed a state of emergency and accompanying restrictive measures, such as stricter face mask mandates, limits on bar opening hours and restaurant capacities, tighter crowd limits for indoor and outdoor events, closures of schools in high-risk areas and a ban on musical performances.

Under the state of emergency, the government now regularly assesses the situation every 14 days.

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Source: Xinhua