Czech Republic coronavirus updates, August 24: 135 new cases, negative COVID-19 test needed from Spain

There were 135 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Czech Republic on Sunday, the smallest daily increase of the past week, according to the latest data provided by the Czech Health Ministry this morning.

The total number of confirmed cases in the Czech Republic since the start of the outbreak in March has now crossed 21,000, standing at 21,923 as of this morning. Sunday’s daily increase marks one of the highest totals on a Sunday in several weeks, since blanket testing in the Karviná region following a COVID-19 breakout at the OKD coal mine facilities.

However, the daily increase in the number of new cases has been usually lower on weekends than on work days, because a lower number of samples are tested at weekends. On Sunday, there were just 4,400 tests conducted.

About 75 pecent (16,125) of the total number of cases have recovered, and there have been 412 COVID-19-related deaths. That leaves 5,386 known active cases. The vast majority of cases are mild, with 116 COVID-19 patients being treated in Czech hospitals.

Of those patients, 24 are considered to be in serious condition, requiring intensive care.

In the past seven days, the Kolín district in central Bohemia has reported the highest number of infections: 45 positive cases per 100,000 people. Uherské Hradiště follows with 39 positive cases per 100,000 people and Prague with 35 cases per 100,000 people.

According to epidemiologist Roman Prymula, who is the government commissioner for science and research in the health sector, the infection epicenters are scattered across the Czech Republic. Only one region in the country did not report any new cases in the past week: Domažlice in west Bohemia.

Experts predict the situation may worsen come September when students go back to school. That’s why officials have reintroduced face masks starting Sept. 1 in public transit vehicles, offices, health and social care facilities, at indoor events with more than 100 participants and in polling stations during the October regional and Senate elections.

Travelers returning from Spain are required to immediately contact their regional hygiene station upon arrival by telephone or other remote method, and cover the cost of the COVID-19 testing themselves. Results must be provided to the hygiene station within 72 hours after arrival.