Health officials in the Czech Republic issued a warning on Monday, indicating that the country is on the verge of a respiratory illness epidemic. The 50th week of the year witnessed acute respiratory diseases surpassing the epidemic threshold, with 1,700 cases reported per 100,000 inhabitants—a notable 8.2 percent increase from the previous week. Concurrently, the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 is experiencing an upward trend.

The latest data reveals an 18.2 percent increase in illness rates for influenza-related diseases and an 8.8 percent rise in acute respiratory infections compared to the preceding week. Health officials attribute these figures to the typical seasonality of respiratory illnesses.

Several respiratory viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus and influenza viruses, contribute to the surge in acute respiratory diseases, as reported by the National Health Institute (SZÚ).

The number of active COVID-19 cases is notably higher than in the same period last year, with around 24,000 confirmed infections compared to 9,000. While testing is currently at approximately one-third of last year’s levels, the percentage of positive results is significantly higher, with almost 43 percent of tests on symptomatic individuals yielding positive results. Experts estimate that the actual number of infections could be four to five times higher than officially reported.

Although the increase in infections is reflected in higher positive test rates, the impact on hospitals appears less pronounced. Hospitalized patients have decreased from 940 to 770 compared to the previous week. Intensive care units are currently treating 55 individuals in serious condition, a figure that has remained relatively stable throughout the month. The daily death toll among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 is in the single digits.

The evolving situation underscores the complex dynamics of respiratory illnesses, with COVID-19 and influenza viruses contributing to the overall public health challenge in the Czech Republic. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging adherence to preventive measures to mitigate the impact of the epidemic.

Article by Prague Forum