Pilot testing in Orava and Bardejov: 91% participation rates in COVID-19 screening achieved, Bardejov records highest number of people tested, Tvrdošín has highest number of infectious cases

Orava and Bardejov can look back on the first weekend of country-wide testing of the Slovak population for COVID-19. In Slovakia’s four most affected districts, a total of 140,945 people were tested at the testing sites and 976 people in hospitals and care homes from Friday to Sunday, of which 5,594 had a positive test result. This equates to 3.97% of all people tested. Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď announced the latest on coronavirus testing and spoke about his experiences to the media today.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “The pilot testing in the riskiest districts of Slovakia is successfully behind us. First of all, I must say that I am immensely proud of our servicemen and women. The Armed Forces have once again demonstrated that they are here for Slovakia, always and wherever needed. In record time, they have managed to put plans into action and are carrying out this demanding mission. Swab testing in Orava and Bardejov was the first test for them and they stood it excellently. Looking ahead, another challenge we now face is that of country-wide testing.” The Minister stressed that all aspects of the across-the-board testing will be discussed by the Central Crisis Management Staff.

“Special thanks to every single member of the Police and Fire Service Corps, every health worker and volunteer as well as to self-governing authorities. I immensely value the commitment and professional yet still humane approach of all those involved. They did not have to come, but they did in order to help Slovakia at the expense of their leisure and family time,” he emphasised, noting that the lessons learned from Orava and Bardejov are immensely important for preparing the nation-wide testing. “All specific knowledge will be worked into our procedures so that we are better prepared for the upcoming weekend,” added the Minister.

As part of the Covid-19 pilot testing scheme, of all 139,969 antigen tests administered at the testing sites (tests in hospitals and care homes are not included), Bardejov had the highest number of tests performed – 48,320, with 1,569 positive cases and an infection rate of 3.25% of all people tested. The most critical situation was in Tvrdošín district, where there were 1,078 positive results, equating to 4.85% of all 22,250 people tested. The second highest infection rate was recorded in Námestovo district. Of all 40,052 people tested, 1,910 (4.77%) were diagnosed positive. Dolný Kubín recorded the lowest infection rate of 3.12%. Out of 29,347 people that received the test, 916 tested positive for coronavirus.

It was estimated that a maximum of 155,000 people would be tested in Orava and Bardejov. The estimate proved to be remarkably close as 91% participation rates in COVID-19 screening were achieved in the given region. There, 61,905 people were tested on Friday, followed by 59 613 on Saturday, and 18,451 on Sunday.

Over the three-day period, 1,835 military personnel supported Op Shared Responsibility, including providing logistics and supporting Regional Commands, while 444 soldiers and military medical professionals worked at the testing sites. Apart from them, 3,228 police, firefighters, healthcare workers, employees of local authorities and volunteers were involved in the operation.