Czech Republic coronavirus updates, October 9: 5,000+ new cases, more restrictions take effect

There were 5,394 new COVID-19 cases in the Czech Republic yesterday according to the latest data published by the Czech Health Ministry this morning as the country sets another record in the number of new daily cases.

The daily rise in new COVID-19 cases in the Czech Republic is slightly higher than Wednesday's 5,337, and the fifth time in the last six days that a new record high has been reached.

Despite seeing a record of more than 5,000+ new cases on Wednesday, only 17,063 tests were performed, one of the lowest numbers for a weekday over the past few weeks. Nearly a third of those tested (31%) were positive for COVID-19, a new record. The number of tests performed on Thursday will be revealed later today.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Czech Republic since the start of the outbreak has now exceeded 100,000, standing at 100,757 as of this morning. There are currently 48,728 active cases in the country.

Now with about 375 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days, the Czech Republic continues to be the most-affected country in Europe, followed by Spain (303 cases), the Netherlands (285 cases) and France (257 cases).

On Wednesday, the Czech Republic reported 42 COVID-19-related deaths, a new high. A total of 869 COVID-19-related deaths have now been reported since the start of the epidemic.

There are now 1,741 COVID-19 patients in Czech hospitals, 360 of whom are considered to be in serious condition. Those numbers have roughly doubled in the past week.

To combat the surge in new cases, Czech Health Minister Roman Prymula introduced an extensive list of new regulations at a press conference yesterday, some of which come into effect today and others from Monday, October 12.

From today, restaurants and pubs in the country must close no later than 8 p.m.; previous regulations permitted them to stay open until 10 p.m. at the latest. Tables may have a maximum of four people.

Additionally, people may enter shops in groups in groups of a maximum of two. WiFi at shopping centers must be limited to discourage children from congregating in them.

Also from today: gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools, and zoos throughout the Czech Republic must close entirely.

From Monday, October 12, all cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries and other cultural venues must be closed. See our complete roundup of cultural institutions which must close here.

Also from next week, secondary schools and universities across the country will all switch to distance learning if they have not already done so, with the exception of practical classes where in-class education is necessary.

Lower grades of primary schools will continue to operate as normal, but upper grades will switch to part-distance-learning, with students separated into two alternating groups.

According to Prymula, the new measures were approved by the Czech government unanimously.