Blanket testing reveals 82 COVID-19 cases at Czech coal mine so far

82 employees of the Darkov coal mine in Karviná, and six of their relatives, have been found to have COVID-19 following blanket testing conducted yesterday and today, the Regional Hygiene Station (KHS) in Ostrava has announced.

After 11 mine workers tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, 17 on Sunday and 21 on Monday, the Hygiene Station decided to conduct blanket testing on about 900 mine employees.

Approximately 600 samples have been processed thus far, revealing the infection in 82 employees. An additional 300 tests are currently being processed, with that number likely to cross 100.

OKD executive director Radim Tabášek, who runs the Darkov Mine, said yesterday that none of the employees had a serious case of COVID, and that operations at the mine would continue without any changes.

However, that plan could change following the results of the blanket testing today.

While the mine continues to operate, hygiene officials will meet with OKD to discuss the next steps to be taken.

“Due to the above high numbers of positive results, KHS officials will meet with OKD management to discuss further preventive measures that will lead to the elimination of the increase in COVID-19 [at the mine],” said KHS Director Pavla Svrčinová told local media.

A total of 1,800 people work at the Darkov Mine in Karviná.