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Patients who stayed in acute-care hospital beds even though another type of care would have been more appropriate cost the healthcare system more than 1.29 billion crowns extra last year, according to estimates by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS). There were more than 168,000 of them, with an average age of 71. However, cheaper follow-up and long-term care beds are lacking. Nearly 1,900 more would be needed. This follows from materials of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS) presented at a conference of the Association of Czech and Moravian Hospitals (AČMN).

In the afternoon in Prague, thousands of people filled Old Town Square to see the first light animation of the Christmas tree. It started at 4:30 p.m. and lasted several minutes. It was accompanied by the song “Vánoce na míru” by Ewa Farna, performed on the square by a children’s choir.

The representative rooms of Prague Castle, which are normally not open to the public, were visited by 9,784 people during today’s open day. Natálie Máchová from the Prague Castle Administration told ČTK. In addition to the Spanish Hall, the Mirror Hall, and the Rudolf Gallery, visitors could also walk through Golden Lane for free or visit St. Vitus Cathedral.

Christmas markets begin on Saturday at Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. More than a hundred stalls will open at 10:00, offering handicrafts, Christmas goods, and refreshments. This year, the tree at Old Town Square will be lit to the song “Vánoce na míru” by Ewa Farna. For security reasons, the organizers will not disclose the time of the first light show. They do not want too many people gathering at once. The show will repeat every day from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at hourly intervals. The markets will be open daily until January 6.