Slovakia tested half the population for the new coronavirus in one day. According to the The Guardian, the tests were carried out this Saturday and are part of the measure that the country found to avoid a new confinement and not to clog the health services. This Sunday the rest of the population will be tested.
According to the Slovak government, 2.58 million people were tested this Saturday alone, 25,850 of whom tested positive and should be quarantined. This mass testing plan provides for testing all citizens over the age of ten, which means testing about 4 million out of a total population of 5.5 million.
According to data from Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad, more than 40 thousand professionals were placed, including doctors, assistants, soldiers, police, administrative and volunteers, in 5,000 different places to test people. Many sites have even been adapted to put this plan into practice. They are all free and voluntary.
The prime minister, Igor Matovič, still apologized to the population, but admitted that it is the best way to avoid a new confinement, the right way given the increase in cases and the response capacity of health services. “Freedom has to go hand in hand with responsibility”, reminding the weakest, such as cancer patients, the elderly, or other patients who are more vulnerable and that if they become infected they could suffer more serious consequences, he said at a press conference .
This Sunday the country reported 2,282 new cases, thus making a total of 59,946 infections in the country, 219 deaths to register. These figures do not include those found in this testing plan that is being put into practice over this weekend.
New tests will be carried out on 6 and 8 November. Those who do not want to take the test will have to comply with mandatory quarantine for ten days. Anyone who violates this period and is caught on the street may be fined 1,650 euros.
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