Czech Republic adds record 4,400 new cases

New coronavirus infections hit a record high in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, surpassing 4,000 cases in one day for the first time.

The country's Health Ministry said 4,457 people tested positive on Tuesday, almost 700 more than the previous record set on Friday.

Most infected still have no or mild symptoms but the recent steep day-to-day increase in infections has been followed by an increase in hospitalisations and deaths from the virus.

Of the total of 90,022 cases in the Czech Republic, 1,387 needed hospital treatment on Monday, according to government figures, with 326 in serious condition.

794 people have died of COVID-19 in the country since the beginning of the pandemic in March.

The recent rise in cases caused the government to bring in a state of emergency, accompanied by restrictive measures which strictly limit public gatherings indoors and outdoors, limit opening hours and number of people in bars and restaurants and closes some schools.