Slovakia: Tens of thousands participate in mass COVID-19 testing event from October 23-25 /update 14

Event

Slovak health authorities announced that a weekend coronavirus (COVID-19) mass testing program from Friday-Sunday, October 23-25, attracted 136,904 participants and identified 5,298 positive cases. Plans are in place to widen the scope to the entire population of the country next weekend with hopes of curbing a sharp rise in infections. The tests were administered in 235 sites in four northern regions that are home to about 180,000 people. Full details on the government's testing program can be found here.

Additionally, a partial nationwide lockdown was implemented from Saturday, October 24. Under the lockdown, most schools will be closed and people will be required to stay home, with the exception of going to work and essential purposes such as shopping. The lockdown will remain in place until at least November 1.

From October 13, public gatherings have been limited to a maximum of six people. Face masks remain mandatory in all outdoor spaces, mass events are banned, drinking and eating indoors at restaurants, cafes, and bars is banned, and shopping centers and shops are required to operate at a reduced capacity. Takeaways and outdoor dining are still permitted. People that violate the new restrictions may be fined. The Slovak government previously declared a state of emergency for 45 days starting October 1. The emergency allows the government more powers to implement stricter measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Limited international commercial flights have resumed, however, passengers arriving in the country are required to show a negative COVID-19 PCR or serology test result taken within the preceding 72-hours prior to arrival.

As of October 25, authorities have confirmed 43,843 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 159 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.