Slovakia: Six more inhabitants of Romani settlement test positive for COVID-19, are relocated to facility

In the municipality of Žehra, Slovakia, across-the-board testing conducted from Monday through Wednesday in the community of 2 500 has so far found another six individuals with COVID-19. The community has been under a strict quarantine since the beginning of April.

“We divided Žehra into three sectors according to its geographic articulation. On Monday we tested in sector one, almost 300 people, and six were found to be positive, so we relocated them to a quarantine facility,” said MEP Peter Pollák, a member of the Permanent Crisis Team and a longtime expert on Romani issues with the governing OĽaNO party.

In the second sector, 182 people were tested on Tuesday, all of whom tested negative; yesterday 698 people were tested and the findings are meant to be publicized some time today. “On the basis of those tests we also opened sectors one and two, while we relocated the people who tested positive and their family members,” the MEP said.

The testing is continuing there today and tomorrow, with medics focusing on people who have previously tested positive and then spent 14 days in quarantine. If they test negative, they will be able to return to normal life.