HIV numbers on the rise

The National Reference Laboratory for AIDS said on Thursday that the number of HIV positive people in the Czech Republic has crossed the 2,000 mark. Of those 389 have developed AIDS and 196 people have died of AIDS-related complications. The laboratory warns that the number of HIV positive cases has grown steadily in the past decade and could increase at a geometric rate unless effective action is taken especially among the young generation. In recent years the authorities have earmarked less money for prevention and awareness programs and people no longer see AIDS as a threat.