Czechs record over 500 new Covid-19 cases in single day as testing rises

The daily increase in coronavirus cases exceeded 500 on Friday, a daily record, Ministry of Health data show. The rise in reported cases stems from increased testing, not an outbreak or uptick, the ministry said.

On eight occasions since early March, and four times in August, the daily tally of new Covid-19 patients has exceeded 300. About 5,000 people in the Czech Republic currently have the disease.

Immunologist Roman Prymula told Czech Radio on Saturday clusters are widespread but not particularly big. He said people returning from holidays abroad account for a fair percentage of new infections in past weeks.

To date 411 people have died with the disease while about three-quarters have recovered from the virus.