Czech Republic Reports Record Rise in Virus Cases for Third Day

The Czech Republic reported its largest single-day increase in new coronavirus infections for a third straight day, recording 1,541 cases, according to Health Ministry data.

It was the fifth day in a row with new infections above 1,000 as the country of 10.7 million sees a surge in cases that is among the fastest in the European Union.

Adjusted for population, the country has reported 94 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data. Only Spain and France have seen a bigger spike in that time.

As of Saturday, 453 patients had died out of a total of 35,401 cases, with 60% of patients having recovered.

Read: Switzerland to Impose Quarantine on Arrivals From the Czech Republic

Hospitalizations remain below peaks of over 400 seen in the first few months of the outbreak, but figures are growing, with 297 patients as of Friday compared to 172 on Sept. 1.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis told tabloid Blesk’s website on Sunday the country had one of the lowest death tolls in Europe and said he would appeal for people to maintain health measures.

Epidemiologist Roman Prymula, the government’s commissioner for science and research in healthcare, said on Czech Television’s Sunday debate show a second wave had started and hospitalizations would rise.

Cases quickly surpassed 30,000 cases this past week after not hitting 10,000 until mid-June or 20,000 until mid-August.

The uptick has led neighboring Germany to require travelers from the capital Prague to provide a negative COVID-19 test or observe a two-week quarantine period upon entry.

Read: Germany Issues Travel Warning for Prague