Czech Republic coronavirus updates, August 12: 288 new cases, travel agencies help pay for Greece test

There were 288 new COVID-19 cases reported in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, according to the latest figures posted by the Czech Health Ministry this morning.

To date, 18,783 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Czech Republic since the beginning of the outbreak in March.

There have been 391 COVID-19-related deaths and 13,222 recoveries in that span, leaving 5,170 known active cases in the country. The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Czech Republic has remained consistently low, however. There are currently 131 COVID-19 patients being treated in Czech hospitals.

The Frýdek-Místek region remains the most-affected region in the country, with 48 positive tests per 100,000 people over the past week. The number of recorded COVID-19 cases in the past week has been declining.

There are several other regions with growing coronavirus case numbers as well. The Klatovy region has 38 positive cases per 100,000 people. In Prague, more and more cases are being reported. The capital city now has 25 positive cases per 100,000 people and Prague-West has 21 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days. The city reports between 30 and 50 new cases per day. In the past 24 hours, 46 additional people tested positive for the virus in Prague.

There have been a number of localized outbreaks, as well. In Hradec Králové, an employee of the elderly home U Biřičky tested positive for COVID-19, sending the facility into quarantine. The elderly home is the largest facility of its kind in the region, according to the governor, and has more than 300 clients and 210 employees.

At the Jihlava Alzheimer’s Center in the Jihlava region, 41 patients as well as several employees contracted coronavirus recently. The facility was the previous site of an outbreak several weeks ago. Since then, dozens have recovered from the virus. Now, the remaining employees and patients who were not previously tested will be tested for the virus.

An employee at a kindergarten in Blšany in the Louny region tested positive for coronavirus, and all ten children who attend the school as well as the staff have been placed into quarantine.

From this week, the City of Prague has re-established a COVID-19 infoline for its residents. The number 227 272 065 can be called daily from 8:00 – 18:00, and can handle about 500 calls per day.

Some travel agencies, however, plan to help their clients cover the cost of a COVID-19 test. CK Alexandria, for example, will cover the cost of a COVID-19 test up to 1,674 CZK, the maximum test amount set by the Ministry of Health. However, some private practices and regional hospitals may charge more. CK Čedok will also contribute 1,500 CZK towards a COVID-19 for trips purchased from August 17 onward.

Along with Croatia, Greece has been one of the most popular summer holiday destinations for Czech travelers this summer.

One player on the Prague Slavia football team has tested positive for coronavirus, ending the season for the team.