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Investigations are due to begin this weekend, Prime Minister Igor Matovich said on Monday. He announced the plan to study the entire population of the country 10 days ago, it was presented as a unique project throughout the world.
I. Matovičius ignored the recommendations of scientists who questioned the effectiveness of an unprecedented plan.
Last weekend, authorities conducted pilot studies in four regions heavily affected by the coronavirus. More than 90 percent participated in the research. people. After analyzing the samples, almost 4% was found. with the aim of spreading the infection. National investigations will take place over the next two weekends, Reuters reports.
In the two subsequent phases, rapid antigen tests are planned for four days, two Saturdays and two Sundays, to screen all people over 10 years of age in the rest of the country. The tests were canceled Friday due to staff shortages, health experts warned about. On weekends, it is easier to find enough helpers than on Friday, Health Minister Marek Krajchi told reporters.
“Today, there are only two options left: national investigations or total quarantine,” I. Matovičius told reporters after a meeting with the government’s Central Crisis Committee. “It is a solution that, together, will give us the opportunity to avoid total quarantine and save hundreds of lives.”
5.5 million A total of 45,155 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in a country with a population of 176.
As in many European countries, the number of COVID-19 cases in Slovakia is growing this month.
Prime Minister Matovičius said he thought the whole population study project could become an example for the whole of Europe.
Slovakia wants to avoid the strict quarantine measures applied in the spring, during the first wave of the outbreak, which have forced the country’s economy to contract dramatically. However, partial quarantine has been introduced in Slovakia: residents must stay at home, except to move around, buy basic goods and travel to nature; restaurants, swimming pools, sports clubs, theaters and similar establishments are not open to visitors.
However, the government has announced that the survey will not be mandatory for residents and voluntary participation from residents is expected. However, people who refuse to study will have to isolate themselves for 10 days. This means that they will not be allowed to leave the house for 10 days and the police will be able to demand negative test results. A public appearance without COVID-19 test results would result in a fine of up to € 1,600.
This was criticized by President Zuzana Chaputova, who said that “if it threatens sanctions, it cannot say it is voluntary.”
The tests will be free and available to everyone, both permanent residents and foreigners visiting Slovakia.
According to the survey results, 70 percent. Slovaks plan to participate in this project, 20 percent. spoke against.
Epidemiologists note that given the unreliability of rapid tests, the government should encourage PCR testing and contact tracing practices, Bloomberg writes. The government has recognized that the tests used detect infection in only 30 to 40 percent of cases. cases, and this depends on the concentration of virus in the body, so the actual number of infections can be up to three times higher than reported.
“It may sound strange, but imagining a testing strategy requires imagination,” said Eva Schernhammer, director of the Faculty of Epidemiology at the Medical University of Vienna. “A rapid test alone does not make much sense unless it is performed according to a routine testing regimen that provides for different types of tests.”
The partial quarantine has been announced in the country since last Saturday to stop the sudden jump in cases of COVID-19.
“From Saturday there will be a curfew,” Matovičius said. According to him, the freedom of movement of the population will be restricted at night from 1 to 5 pm.
For the rest of the day, Slovaks will be able to leave their homes just to see the doctor, get things done, go to work and buy essentials. It will also be allowed to take nature walks alone or with pets.
It is true that, according to Interior Minister Roman Mikulec, residents will not have to show documents or prove that they left the house for a reason.
In some high-risk regions, residents will need to get tested for coronavirus to go outside.
The partial quarantine is valid until November 1, but it will be possible to extend it.
“The situation in Slovakia is serious. We do not control it,” said Health Minister Marek Krajcis.
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