First US military doctors arrive in Czech Republic to help combat COVID-19 crisis

Prague, Nov 1 (CTK) - The first seven U.S. military medics sent to help local authorities control the coronavirus epidemic have arrived in the Czech Republic, the U.S. Embassy has tweeted.

Their first consultations with Czech colleagues are planned for Monday, the embassy stated.

The United States has offered the Czech Republic assistance from military doctors and other medical professionals. Teams from the National Guards of Texas and Nebraska will arrive, with a total of 28 officers.

Later this week, Czech parliament should approve the stay of up to 300 foreign military health personnel in the Czech Republic.

They can only stay for a maximum of 90 days. While staying in the Czech Republic, foreign soldiers will be unarmed and always operate in cooperation with Czech medical staff.

The Central Military Hospital in Prague is counting on the help of the U.S. medics.

The Czech Republic has asked its allies from NATO to send military doctors due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and as it is facing a shortage of its own health personnel.

The Czech Republic has also received material help from its allies, such as lung ventilators. They have been sent by Germany, Austria, Hungary and from the strategic reserves of the EU and NATO.