On Thursday, Czech President Miloš Zeman left the Central Military Hospital but came back just a few hours later after testing positive for coronavirus. The president had reportedly met with an infected employee of the Office of the President of the Czech Republic.
Presidential spokesman Jiří Ovčáček said that Zeman was tested for COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon and got back a positive result.
“Therefore, in cooperation with the attending physician, Dr. Miroslav Zavoral, it was decided to transport the patient back to the Central Military Hospital in Prague,” added Ovčáček.
According to Zavoral, the president received monoclonal antibodies as treatment. The hospital’s spokeswoman, Jitka Zinke, then confirmed that Zeman was asymptomatic.
“The administration of monoclonal antibodies has primarily a preventive purpose. After the application of the monoclonal preparation, the patient remains hospitalized for observation,” she added.
Zeman has been in the hospital since October 10 with problems caused by an unspecified liver disease. He was first hospitalized in the intensive care unit and later transferred to long-term care.
Zeman had recently received a third dose of coronavirus vaccine and had left the hospital earlier on Thursday even though it had been recommended that he stay longer.
Today, Miloš Zeman was to appoint Civic Democratic (ODS) leader Petr Fiala as the new prime minister.
“The program of the president will be suspended during his treatment for COVID-19,” said spokesman Jiří Ovčáček.
