Second round of nationwide testing in Slovakia to take place this weekend

Some parts of the country – like Bratislava and Kosice will not take part in the 2nd round due to their low rate of confirmed positives

During the first round of Slovakia’s nationwide testing campaign, held on 31 October and 1 November, some 3.6 million citizens were tested across the country – and only 36,359 tests came back positive (1.06% of the total). Now, Slovaks are heading for a 2^nd round of the campaign, which will be held over the coming weekend on 7 and 8 November.

Exemptions and adapting to the results

This 2^nd round of the nationwide testing campaign, however, will take place in a different context. Some parts of Slovakia will this time be exempt from the process, depending on their results from the first round of testing. Cities and regions that had an overwhelming rate of negative results will not be taking part in the 2^nd round, which will allow the government to shift some of its much-needed resourced to other parts of Slovakia.

Among the areas that will not take part in the 2^nd round are Bratislava, the country’s capital, Kosice and 25 other districts where less than 0.7% of the tests came back positive during the initial round of the campaign. Testing will instead take place in some 45 districts across the country with most of them clustered in its northern parts.

Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matkovic further announced that mobile testing sites will be set up around the country. At these mobile sampling places (MOM) citizens will be able to receive free antigen tests without a specific reason. Not only that but hospital staff and patients will also be regularly tested for COVID-19 – at a biweekly basis, allowing the government and health experts to keep the situation in hospitals and healthcare facilities in check as Slovakia struggled to contain the spread of the disease.