PRAGUE (SLOVAKIA) – Nearly half of Slovakia’s entire population took COVID-19 swabs during the first day of two-day nationwide testing the government hopes will help reverse a fast rise in infections without a hard lockdown.
The scheme, a first in a country of comparable size, is eager looked upon by other nations.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad said on Sunday 2.58 million Slovaks took the test on Saturday, and 25,850 or 1% tested positive and must go into quarantine.
The country aims to test as many as possible, except for children under 10.
More than 40,000 medics and support teams of soldiers, police, administrative workers and volunteers have been working in around 5,000 sites so that the antigen swab tests can be conducted effectively.
The testing was free and voluntary, however, those who do not participate will have to bear the consequences, including a ban on going to work. The government will impose a lockdown on the same.
Prime Minister Igor Matovic apologised for putting pressure on people to take part, but said it was required.
He told a news conference, “Freedom must go together with responsibility toward those who … are the weakest among us, oncology patients, old people, people with other diseases.”
On Sunday, Slovakia reported 2,282 new cases through PCR tests, putting the total at 59,946, which does not include those identified in the nationwide scheme, and 219 deaths to date.