Czech Republic coronavirus updates, Nov. 23: cases continue to decline, some lockdown measures ease

The Czech Republic continues to report a steady decline in new COVID-19 cases, and Sunday's new cases mark the lowest daily increase in more than two weeks, according to the latest data provided by the Czech Health Ministry this morning.

On Sunday, the Czech Republic reported 1,509 new COVID-19 cases. Monday's numbers were the latest in a steady decline of new coronavirus cases in the Czech Republic. Saturday's reported new cases - 3,191 - marked another new low for the case numbers.

But that low tally came after just 13,308 tests were performed, more than half the usual number of tests performed during the week. The number of tests performed on Sunday will be revealed later today.

In light of these numbers, the Czech government has announced that certain lockdown measures will be relaxed. Starting tonight, the nightly curfew will move to 11:00 p.m. instead of 9:00 p.m. and gatherings of up to six people will be allowed.

In addition, attendance at elementary schools, hands-on instruction at secondary schools, and group teaching with less than 20 participants at higher education schools will be allowed from Monday, though students will return to schools in multiple stages.

Cultural performances are also allowed - but with certain restrictions. Find a full list of the loosening measures here.

Since March, the Czech Republic has now reported a total of just under 492,263 COVID-19 cases, the majority of which were reported in September and October. Of those, there have been 398,101 recoveries, with 86,966 known active cases.

There are currently 5,421 COVID-19 patients in Czech hospitals, with 839 of those in serious condition.

The most-affected localities in the Czech Republic over the past two weeks continues to Havlíčkův Brod, which has reported about 566 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week, and Svitavy, with about 485 cases per 100,000 residents in that span.

The Czech Republic is no longer the most affected state in the EU; the country now ranks 8th in the EU, with about 746 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

However, the Czech Republic still continues to have one of the highest death rates in Europe in COVID-19-related deaths per 100,000 people at 22.7.

As vaccine news continues to look hopeful around the globe, Czech officials have been quick to note that a COVID-19 vaccine will not become mandatory once introduced next year. However, according to Health Minister Jan Blatný, it will make European travel much easier. EU officials are discussing using a "vaccine passport" to travel through Europe with no restrictions.