Epidemic slowing, death toll crosses 29,000 mark

The Czech Republic registered 820 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, roughly a dozen less than on the same day a week ago, according to data released by the Czech Ministry of Health. The reproduction number is at 0.8 and the risk index remains at 54 points, corresponding to the third level on a five point scale. The overall Covid-related death toll has now crossed the 29,000 mark.

The National Reference Laboratory is sequencing what may be the first samples of the more contagious Indian mutation of the coronavirus detected on Czech soil. The samples were taken from two Indian students in Hradec Králové, one of whom recently returned from a visit home. The definitive results should be known on Tuesday. Several people have been placed in quarantine.