Czech Republic coronavirus updates, Nov. 16: Cases continue to decline, death toll surpasses Sweden's

The Czech Republic confirmed 1,887 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which is the lowest daily rise since October 5, according to the latest data that the Health Ministry released on its website today. According to the latest data from the Health Ministry, there were 65 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 6,208, surpassing even much-criticized Sweden, which opted not to lockdown their country and has 6,164 total pandemic deaths.

With regard to the new anti-pandemic system that current Minister of Health, Jan Blatny (ANO) presented on Friday, Prymula said it was not good that all the five levels of risk assessment required a state of emergency. He said the two worst levels should require the state of emergency, but the others should not require it.

Prymula also said the pandemic was slowing in the Czech Republic, but it is a question whether it was enough. He added that if restrictions are lifted too soon, the infection could again spread quickly and added that vaccination against Covid-19 would start in January. He said he did not expect any vaccine doses to be delivered to the country this year.

The Czech Chamber of Doctors has called for the continued tightening of restrictions. Kubek said vulnerable groups of the population are not sufficiently protected.

Kubek added that the number of current tests is insufficient and the authorities have distorted data as a result, with many of the infection cases not being recorded. It turns out that there are two healthcare systems in the country, Kubek stated, adding that health care was much more accessible in big towns than in the countryside.

He also said the loosening of restrictions could start too soon if Health Minister Jan Blatny gave in to pressure from other ministers. If shopping malls open in early December, a big problem may occur after New Year’s Day, he warned.

The Vysocina Region currently suffers from the highest infection rate and four of its five districts have more than 700 infected per 100,000 inhabitants over the past seven days. The highest number, 806 cases, is in the Pelhrimov district. The best situation in the Czech Republic is in Prague and the Prague-West district with 231 and 232 cases per 100,000 citizens.