Multi-branch cooperation on SARS-CoV-2 omicron capture: a case report.

Shortly after the WHOs first notice a suspected case of omicron SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Liberec, Czech Republic. The primary goal of the following actions was to test the presence of the variant and stop the spread of the virus variant. On November 25 a sixty-year-old lady, who had recently returned from Namibia, visited a GP with flu-like symptoms and a rash on her chest. The antigen test was positive for SARS-CoV-2, a PCR test was planned. At that time, it was not known that a new variant of concern was spreading from Africa. On November 26 in the morning the GP announced a suspected omicron case to the Regional public health authority, who organized the following steps. A mobile sampling team was sent to the patient's home immediately, sample transported into the regional hospital and analyzed with the help of the national reference laboratory. The captured virus SARS-CoV-2 fitted the description of the omicron variant, was shared in the GISAID database and named hCoV-19/Czech Republic/KNL_2021-110119140/2021. Contact tracing was started immediately, eleven persons were tested and quarantined. One of them positive with no further spread. It is the first documented omicron case in the Czech Republic and one of the first cases in Europe, with an excellent systemic response to the alert. The laboratory was able to detect the omicron variant instantly after the request. This case also demonstrates how easily the virus spreads on long distances and how important it might be to increase the uptake of the booster vaccine.

Experiences and needs of licensed health risk assessors conducting health impact assessment in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to discover and analyse the utilization of health impact assessment (HIA) among HIA certificate holders, and to ascertain their opinions on the current situation in the Czech Republic and on the possible future nationwide implementation of health impact assessment. METHODS: The target group of the research was identified as holders of professional competence certificates in the field of public health impact assessment. A structured questionnaire was developed. The first part mapped the recent use of HIA in the Czech Republic, the second addressed the issue of linking HIA to regional policies and to the national strategy, the third aimed to gain information about the preparedness of the Czech Republic for the full implementation of HIA, and the last part focused on quality assessment and capacity building for HIA. RESULTS: The results of the survey point to the inconsistencies in the perception of the whole concept of HIA in the Czech Republic by the professional public, and also to a shortage of experts in this area. There is only a narrow circle of experts, especially in the field of health care. It also lacks an informational base, which assist in the unification of processes in this area. As the results of the questionnaire showed, the problems are the lack of interest in the application of the HIA method and, subsequently, the lack of demand. CONCLUSION: The collected data showed obstacles and gaps in the implementation of the HIA methodology in the Czech Republic. At the same time it has revealed possible ways to change the current situation, based on the opinions of those who practice this methodology in the Czech Republic.