Czech Chief Hygienist positive for COVID-19; Health Minister quarantined ahead of testing

Prague, Sept 2 (CTK) – Czech Chief Public Health Officer Jarmila Rážová has tested positive for the COVID-19 and she will stay in home isolation, Health Ministry spokeswoman Gabriela Štěpanyová told CTK today.

Rážová felt the COVID-19 disease symptoms and therefore she went to get tested, Štěpanyová said.

Public health officers are now seeking people who were in a close contact with Rážová and will assess who among them will be tested and quarantined, Prague Public Health Office spokesman Zbyněk Boublík said.

The Czech Health Ministry is taking the necessary measures, Štěpanyová added.

The requirement to wear a face mask is now mandatory at the Health Ministry.

All people who spent more than 15 minutes with Rážová will undergo COVID-19 tests.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (for ANO) and other officials from the ministry’s management will be tested today. Štěpanyová said further steps would be decided on the basis of their tests’ results.

Vojtěch has cancelled his planned visit to the Karlovy Vary Region, west Bohemia, because of his contact with a COVID-19 infected person, the regional office has told CTK.

The minister returned to his office and will work alone until he knows the test result, Štěpanyová added.