Health Minister Kiril Ananiev announces start of mass testing for COVID-19
PM Boyko Borissov and Health Minister Kiril Ananiev were in Bansko to review the mass testing there. Bansko was the first Bulgarian town in total lockdown for two weeks between March 17 and March 31. The measures were taken after cases of coronavirus were confirmed in tourists who had been infected before coming to Bansko. The ski season closed early in the popular ski resort to contain the spread of the virus just days before the lockdown.
The government has been reluctant to begin mass testing. Initially the coronavirus crisis response team prioritized the social distancing approach in containing the virus and described mass screening as an alternative. Later on, the concept of mass testing gained more traction within the crisis response team and the government, but the tests themselves were a problem to acquire. It would take time and money. In any event, the government announced several weeks ago mass testing will begin late April or early May, and that Bulgaria had ordered tests.
Bansko was scheduled for mass testing because of the lockdown. 4000 people will be tested, which accounts for about 30% of Bansko’s population. While the health minister and the PM went over to see how the testing had been going, Minister Ananiev announced Bulgaria will begin mass testing “from now on.”
He explained the approach till now has been to test suspected cases only but “the course we are [now] taking” is. To “mass test Bulgarian citizens in order to probe a larger portion of the population.”
The minister and the PM said 20’000 PCR tests are currently available, and “we are awaiting more” from South Korea. 18 laboratories are equipped and engaged in testing for the COVID-19, the PM added.
The government has been reluctant to begin mass testing. Initially the coronavirus crisis response team prioritized the social distancing approach in containing the virus and described mass screening as an alternative. Later on, the concept of mass testing gained more traction within the crisis response team and the government, but the tests themselves were a problem to acquire. It would take time and money. In any event, the government announced several weeks ago mass testing will begin late April or early May, and that Bulgaria had ordered tests.
Bansko was scheduled for mass testing because of the lockdown. 4000 people will be tested, which accounts for about 30% of Bansko’s population. While the health minister and the PM went over to see how the testing had been going, Minister Ananiev announced Bulgaria will begin mass testing “from now on.”
He explained the approach till now has been to test suspected cases only but “the course we are [now] taking” is. To “mass test Bulgarian citizens in order to probe a larger portion of the population.”
The minister and the PM said 20’000 PCR tests are currently available, and “we are awaiting more” from South Korea. 18 laboratories are equipped and engaged in testing for the COVID-19, the PM added.
Източник: mediapool.bg
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