Number of Czech coronavirus cases could reach 15,000 in April according to epidemiologist

Prague, March 19 (CTK) – The number of new coronavirus cases may reach up to 15,000 in Czechia by mid-April, epidemiologist Roman Prymula said on Czech Television (CT) today, adding that hospitals together have 800 beds for the most serious cases and the capacity can be raised up to 1,500 if needed.

We are judging by the situation we can see in Germany and now also in our country, which shows that there are no such [soaring] numbers like in Italy,” said Prymula, who is a deputy health minister and the head of the National Crisis Staff.

“With our system’s capacity, we are prepared for providing critical care, which is the connection to ventilators and oxygen masks, for up to 800 patients. This capacity can be raised to 1,500 by using reserves. We would face serious problems beyond this capacity limit and we firmly believe we will not reach it,” Prymula said.

The Czech Republic has had 649 coronavirus cases until this evening, with over 9,400 samples having been tested.

The Health Ministry today ordered that special beds for those infected be secured by all hospitals that offer acute bed care. There are some 48,000 acute beds in them together, including 3,500 equipped with a medical ventilator, according to the ministry.