Covid-19 reproduction rate in Czechia now at 1.59

On average each person with Covid-19 in the Czech Republic now infects 1.59 others, according to the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS). Although the reproduction number differs by region, throughout the country it is above 1. In March, before restrictions measures came into effect, it was above 2.

More than 8,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases were recorded in the Czech Republic last week, roughly the same as in all of August. Increased testing accounts in part for the rise, as last month on average 10,000 tests were administered daily, compared to 15,000 to 19,000 per day last week.

Meanwhile, although the percentage of people with Covid-19 admitted to hospital remains low (at 2.18 percent as of Saturday), the number of patients is up by two-thirds since the start of September. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said Monday there is sufficient capacity to handle far more patients, including serious cases. As of last count, there were 305 patients with new Covid-19 in hospital of whom 51 need intensive care.