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Slovakia is choosing a unique path in the corona pandemic: the country has started testing nearly the entire population for the coronavirus.
Last weekend the first round of massive free tests took place in the almost 5000 acceptance points. All residents of Slovakia aged 10-65, including foreigners, were invited to participate. A second round of testing will follow next weekend (November 7-8). Slovakia has a total of more than five million inhabitants.
Objective: discover infected people who have no symptoms
The goal: to discover cases of corona that have no symptoms. If all the people who have tested positive are quarantined, the current increase in new infections could perhaps slow down. The government thinks the costs are less than permanent and tough measures, according to the “world.”
So-called antigen tests are being carried out, which were also approved in Switzerland on Monday. They are cheaper (€ 4) than PCR lab tests and deliver results faster (in 15 to 30 minutes). However, they are also less reliable. However, the government assumes that more than 80 percent of all infections can be detected by testing, as reported by “Welt.”
Long lines and a shortage of staff on Saturday
According to the government, about two and a half million people were examined on the first day. 25,850 people tested positive. The turnout of about one percent was lower than expected. Matovic warned against negligence in observing the distance and hygiene rules: “The situation is not yet under control.”
There were apparently long lines in front of the testing centers on Saturday. Among other things, medical personnel were lacking, according to the “Tagesschau”. The situation apparently calmed down on Sunday.
Participation in the tests is actually voluntary. But those who refuse to take the test and cannot present a negative certificate are at a serious disadvantage in terms of exit restrictions. One of the critics of the measure is the state medical association, which spoke of waste of resources and “blackmail.”
Slovakia: a role model for Switzerland?
Slovakia hopes its experiment will become a model for other European countries. According to Prime Minister Igor Matovic, the massive tests could represent an alternative route to the blockade. “We have a great opportunity to show Europe and the world that there is another way of doing things, without the economy shutting down and without millions of unemployed,” said the prime minister.
The number of infections in Slovakia has increased again since September. To date, more than 60,000 people have tested positive. More than 200 people have died from Covid-19. However, Slovakia only counts the deceased for whom another cause of death has been excluded. The exit restrictions have been in effect since October 24. (SDA / zbc)