Czech Republic coronavirus updates, September 11: 1,382 new cases, more travel restrictions

The Czech Republic reported 1,382 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, the highest number of new daily cases to date, according to the latest figures posted by the Czech Health Ministry this morning.

It’s the latest in a record-breaking week of new coronavirus cases. The total surpassed Wednesday’s record-setting high of 1,161 new cases and Tuesday’s 1,160 COVID-19 cases.

There were 14,416 tests performed on Wednesday, one of the highest totals since the start of the epidemic; the number of tests performed on Thursday will be updated later today.

The number of new cases has now exceeded 1,000 for the past three days, and exceeded 400 every day this month so far. Before August 21, the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported on a single day was 377, on March 27.

There are currently 11,178 known active COVID-19 cases in the Czech Republic, the highest that number has been since the start of the epidemic in March.

A total of 32,413 COVID-19 cases have been reported over that span, with 20,787 recoveries and 448 COVID-19-related deaths. On Thursday, four people died.

While most cases are mild or asymptomatic, the number of serious cases has significantly increased in recent weeks. Over the past month, the number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization in the Czech Republic has roughly doubled, to 249, while the number of those considered to be in serious condition has more than tripled, to 64 people.

Currently, the situation per capita is worst in the Plzeň-South region, where there have been 129 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days, and Pelhřimov, which has reported 116 new COVID-19 cases per 112,000 residents over that time.

Prague is right behind them, however, with about 105 cases per 100,000 residents over the past week.

LATEST JOBS

VIEW ALL + ADD

PART TIME NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER

English English Prague • CZK 30,000 - 45,000

Full remote BI Data Engineer - new Data...

English English Remote work - Czechia

Conference Producer

English English Prague

AR Specialist with French

English English French French Prague • CZK 49,000 - 54,000

Arabic Speaker - Associate Account Manager

English English Arabic Arabic Prague

Senior Sales Manager (PL) - Premium Nautical Equip

English English Polish Polish Prague • EUR 3,000 - 7,000

Health officials have revealed that most areas of the Czech Republic will be given green low-risk status in the Health Ministry’s next regional map, to be released later today. However, at least three regions will move to the orange level, according to a report in iDnes. Currently, Prague is the only area with orange medium-risk status.

In the EU, only Spain, France, Croatia, Romania, and Malta have reported more COVID-19 cases than the Czech Republic over the past 14 days. Due the the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation in the Czech Republic, immediate measures are now being taken both within the country and outside of it.

This week, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch announced that face masks will be required in all indoor spaces throughout the Czech Republic starting September 10.

There are a total of 25 exceptions to that requirement, including when eating or drinking in restaurants, exercising in gyms, or working in an office at least two meters away from others. But in general, the Czech public is now required to wear a mask in indoor areas if there is a chance of coming into contact with others.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch stated that additional measures may be taken in areas with increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, while Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told journalists that although a difficult autumn is ahead, the Czech Republic cannot afford to take additional economic limitations.

In travel news, a growing number of countries are adding Prague to their red lists — which mean a negative COVID-19 test is required upon entry, or entry into the country may only occur for specific reasons.

Germany placed Prague on its list of “red” risk areas for entry into the country this week; German borders will still be open to Czech travelers, but random checks will be conducted, and anyone coming from Prague will need to produce a negative COVID-19 test no older than 48 hours, or face a heavy fine.