Update on across-the-board testing of SVK citizens for COVID-19

As part of Operation Shared Responsibility, the Ministry of Defence has been busy working on the plan to roll out across-the-board, nation-wide testing of the Slovak population for COVID-19. The Ministry of Defence has set up a Joint Operations Centre on its premises for this purpose, bringing together representatives of other ministries. This will be the main centre for planning and conducting the operation.

As part of preparations for the operation, today members of the SVK Armed Forces have got in touch with chairs of the Higher Territorial Units (VÚC), representatives of the Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) and the Towns and Villages of Slovakia Union (ÚMS) to request assistance for the COVID-19 screening programme. Tomorrow and in the days to come, soldiers will be visiting representatives of the self-governing regions to survey the sites and consider the options for test administration. As a priority, they will survey the sites for the pilot testing phase, which is set to take place on 23-25 Oct 2020 across the hardest hit counties, i.e. Námestovo, Dolný Kubín, Tvrdošín and Bardejov. Subsequently, other local self-governing authorities will be contacted in the same way.

The main testing phase will take place from 30 October to 1 November 2020 and from 6 to 8 November 2020. Nearly 5,000 testing sites have been identified across Slovakia. Needless to note, medical professionals, not retrained military personnel, will perform swab tests.

So far, the SVK Armed Forces have prepared basic procedures, which are being worked out in detail in conjunction with medical professionals and self-governing authorities. On entering the testing site at a reception point, citizens must complete the test administration forms (several forms are required in line with legislation). They will then proceed to the swab collection point where medical professionals will perform nasopharyngeal swab tests. After giving their samples, they will move on to the waiting area where they will get the results within 15-30 minutes. Those tested positive for the virus will be instructed on their duties and on what to do next. Currently, the alternative whereby the COVID-positive people self-isolate at home in line with SVK Public Health Authority-issued guidelines is being offered up for consideration. In this context, we want to emphasise that the information provided above represents a basic procedural plan which will be elaborated on further after consulting with lawyers and medical professionals.

All personnel to support the testing efforts will be tested for the presence of COVID-19 ahead of the operation to minimise the potential risks of the virus spreading. According to guidance by hygienists, individual swab collection points will be equipped with all necessary disinfectants and personal protective equipment (PPEs).

As part of Op Shared Responsibility, the Ministry of Defence will handle the logistics of the operation. This includes transporting personnel and material and providing the C2 and communications infrastructure which is instrumental to running the operation. Regional Commands will unfold on the basis of military garrisons. Currently, there are 16 military garrisons. These will run the testing sites in their area of responsibility and will have mobile testing teams under their command, to strengthen the capacity of testing sites for large scale testing, where necessary. Mobile testing teams can also be sent to collect swab samples from those unable to move or from those living in small communities where it would be inefficient to set up a separate testing site. (This option is being offered up for consideration.)

Under the pilot testing phase in Orava and Bardejov, swab testing will be carried out by medical professionals from the SVK Armed Forces and the SVK Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ), including approx. 200 military medical staff and 100 HaZZ medical staff. Yet still, additional medical personnel from the public health sector will be needed. Similarly, they will also be key to across-the-board testing in other parts of Slovakia. The Ministry of Defence has been engaged in intense consultations with the Ministry of Health to find a joint and feasible solution.

More information will be provided this evening by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď who is expected to appear at 19:00 on TV Markíza’s Evening News and at 21:00 on Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS)’s Second Wave.