Tighter anti-COVID-19 restrictions to be announced Friday, says Czech Health Minister

Prague, Oct 7 (CTK) - Tougher restrictions against the spread of COVID-19 will be announced in the Czech Republic on Friday, Health Minister Roman Prymula told journalists this morning.

The record high daily rise of 4,457 confirmed infections on Tuesday is rather unfavorable, he said.

"We are in a situation of a relatively intense growth. It is therefore clear that on Friday we must introduce measures that will be more radical," Prymula said.

If we do not bend the epidemiological curve, the capacity of the healthcare system will be threatened in three weeks, he said.

The capacities of Czech hospitals need to be increased, Prymula said. On Monday, the government will deal with his proposal of involving students of medicine faculties in hospitals, which is possible within the state of emergency that was declared on October 5, he added.

Four days ago, Prymula said it seemed that only moderate restrictions would be needed.

He said today the next three weeks would be critical. "We will use all our possibilities," he said.

Since the epidemic outbreak in March, more than 90,000 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Czech Republic, according to the data released on the Health Ministry website this morning.

The number of people with COVID-19 who need treatment in Czech hospitals continues to increase.