Slovakia: Half of the country tests positive for coronavirus in one day
Half of the Slovakians turn out to be coronavirus positive on a nationwide testing drive including all the residents over the age of 10. The testing drive is aimed at treating the virus without the need for "hard lockdown."
Bratislava, Slovakia:
The Slovakian Government is running a free and voluntary, two day nationwide testing drive. Though the one’s unwilling to take the test are required to self-isolate for ten days or face a fine of 1,485 Euros.
More than 2.5 million of the population took the swab test, half of which tested positive on the first day of the testing drive.
The 25,850 of the total tested, which are positive, are ordered to isolate themselves. As said by the defence minister, Jaroslav Nad on Saturday.
The government is planning a second round of testing next weekend.
This scheme implemented by the country, which happens to be first of its kind as well is closely observed by a number nations who hope to battle the coronavirus as well.
The scheme bypasses the economy heavy lockdown, overwhelming work pressure on the healthcare sector and the urgent need to freeze human activities.
The Slovakian government has aided this program with the Army’s strength, Police Administration and the service of volunteers and almost 40,000 medics.
They have tested 5,000 sites with the swab tests so far.
Slovakia had reportedly lesser cases in the summer and spring after the lockdown was imposed.
The recent rise in coronavirus patients rose alarming concerns as Czech Republic already has the highest two week death rate in Europe.
The scheme has faced repulsive comments from some experts who pointed to the antigen tests used, which are far less precise than the laboratory PCR tests and may return more false negatives and false positives.
On Sunday, Slovakia reported 2,282 new cases through the laboratory PCR tests, giving the total of 59,946 and 219 deaths to date. This is exclusive of the data provided by the nationwide testing scheme.