The Czech Republic is plagued by both Covid and flu. But there is no epidemic of respiratory diseases yet

The Hygiene Service of the Czech Republic reported on Tuesday that the increase in morbidity was 6.7 percent last week compared to the previous one. There are now 1,161 cases of acute respiratory infections per hundred thousand inhabitants. “The increase corresponds to the seasonal period and does not reach epidemic values,” https://twitter.com/Hygiena_cz/status/1721912687322374326 hygienist on social network X.

5,110 cases of covid-19 were also confirmed in the Czech Republic during the past week, according to official data from the Ministry of Health. In the previous week, there were 4,411, i.e. less than seven hundred fewer. 451 people are currently hospitalized, of which 26 patients are in intensive care units.

The number of flu-related illnesses increased in a week-on-week comparison already in October, at the end of the month there were 1,060 cases of acute respiratory infections per 100,000 inhabitants.

In an October press release, the State Institute of Health (SZÚ) mentioned that, given the current wave of respiratory diseases, it is advisable to get vaccinated against influenza and covid-19. Due to cold diseases, which are spread by aerosol and droplets, he again called for the observance of appropriate preventive measures.

“If you are unwell, have a cold, cough and temperature with muscle and joint pain, stay at home – this will prevent the spread of viruses or bacteria to other people. If you do not have a temperature, it is possible that you go to school or work with a cold and cough, you go shopping, participate in cultural and sports events – behave responsibly and respectfully in this case: cover your mouth when you cough, ideally with a disposable handkerchief, if you do not wear an FFP2 class respirator or higher out of consideration for others,” the experts said.

In the absence of a respirator, mask or handkerchief, it is recommended to cough into the sleeve in the area of ​​the forearm, not into the palm. This is because people can then reach for poles in public transport, handles or goods in the store. “However, it is optimal to wear the aforementioned respirator, or at least a mask, which partially mechanically prevents or reduces the spread of pathogens,” the experts noted.

“Let’s be considerate of each other and follow the rules by which we reduce the risk of our own illness and the spread of respiratory diseases not only to people we care about, but also to those who care about someone else,” added the institute.