Czech Republic has 3,308 confirmed coronavirus cases, rise of 307 from Tuesday

Prague, April 1 (CTK) – The number of the confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the Czech Republic rose by 307 to 3,308 on Tuesday, the daily increase approaching 10 percent; while 31 COVID-19 patients have died and 45 recovered so far, according to the data from the Health Ministry’s website.

This is the second highest daily rise after the record 373 last Friday.

However, the number of the coronavirus tests performed started rising again on Monday and the number of the confirmed cases is usually higher with a higher number of tests. The ministry is to release the exact data on tests around 09:00.

Their total number reached 48,811 until Monday, including the repeated ones in one person.

The Czech Institute of Health Information and Statistics (UZIS) will publish its prognosis of the epidemic development in the country at a press conference this morning. A week ago, it expected some 3,000 coronavirus cases by the end of March, which was roughly fulfilled.

The highest number of the confirmed coronavirus cases is in Prague, almost 900, followed by the Central Bohemia Region with 430 cases. The lowest incidence is in the Hradec Kralove, South Moravia and Liberec regions with some 100 cases in each.

In the capital, there are more than 60 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while the lowest rate per 100,000 is in South Moravia, under 16.

According to the sanitary stations’ data, 83 percent of the COVID-19 patients in the country contracted the virus in Czechia, the rest abroad, mainly in Austria and Italy. Most patients are men, but their share has decreased.

As far as their age is concerned, the highest share of the COVID-19 patients, almost one fifth, is aged from 45 to 54 years. Some 5.5 percent are children under 14 and almost 17 percent the elderly over 65, who are considered the most threatened group.

The number of the recovered cases has increased by almost a half on Monday. Most of the 31 fatalities are the elderly who got infected in senior homes. More than a half of the death cases are in Prague.

The first three coronavirus cases were reported in Czechia on March 1 and the first COVID-19 patient died in the country on March 22.

According to the Monday data from the Health Ministry, almost 300 people with COVID-19 are hospitalised, 64 of whom in a serious condition. About one quarter of the hospitalised recovered or were released to home care.

The Central Crisis Staff will deal with further measures to fight the coronavirus epidemic today. It will for the first time meet in its full line-up headed by Interior Minister Jan Hamacek (Social Democrats, CSSD).