23 Czech firefighters have coronavirus, and 267 are in quarantine

Prague, March 23 (CTK) – A total of 23 firefighters have been infected with the novel coronavirus in the Czech Republic so far, while 267 were in quarantine on Sunday evening, Czech Fire Corps General Directorate spokeswoman Nicole Studena told CTK today.

There are almost 10,000 professional firefighters in the Czech Republic with a population of 10.6 million.

The highest number of infected firefighters are in Prague (20), two are in the Karlovy Vary Region, west Bohemia, and one in South Moravia.

Besides, 11 of the more than 1,000 civilian employees of the fire corps are in home quarantine.

The number of the confirmed cases among firefighters was rising primarily in Prague in the past week. Last Thursday, the Prague fire corps reported five cases, on Friday 13, while dozens were in quarantine.

This is why the Prague fire corps lowered the usual number of firefighters on shift from some 180 to about 120, while another 60 are on standby.

The government measures to curb the coronavirus spread, including the restricted free movement of people, have also lowered the number of firefighters’ interventions, Prague fire corps chief Martin Kavka said.

The Prague Fire Corps has more than 850 members.

Along with its usual work, firefighters now help distribute healthcare material in the country. The are distributing medical aid, such as respirators, face masks and protective outfits airlifted to Czechia from China, to the regions and hospitals from the police storage facility in Opocinek near Pardubice, east Bohemia.

Czechia had 1,165 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection this morning, with 114 new cases and the death of the first COVID-19 patient confirmed on Sunday. Six have recovered so far, according to the data on the Health Ministry’s website.