In Slovakia we recorded the first confirmed case of COVID-19. The disease was confirmed on 6.3.2020 by a 52-year-old man from the Bratislava region.

Laboratory diagnostics were carried out at the National Reference Centre for Influenza at the Office of Public Health (SHE) of the Slovak Republic. A clinical specimen will be sent to the confirmation for laboratory examination at the Virological Institute of Charité University of Medicine in Berlin. To date, the total 306 samples tested negative and one positive. Further clinical samples in the MDG for flu are under ongoing investigation.The person with confirmed COVID-19 disease is hospitalized at Clinic infectology and geographical medicine University Hospital Bratislava in an isolated room. The patient has an easier course of the disease and does not experience serious medical complications. We have the situation under control and we have been prepared for it in all directions. Healthcare professionals provide the patient with the necessary medical care and we do everything we can to prevent any further spread of this disease. With the emphasis on maximum protection of people, strict anti-epidemic measures are being taken. The flu season is currently ongoing and not every cough or fever must signal the disease to COvid-19. I assure the public that there is no reason to panic, and therefore, please, let us keep our discretion, it is not really necessary to make monthly food supplies, said Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, appointed by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. The man with COVID-19 didn't stay abroad, it's secondary disease transmission. He lives in a common household with a person who stayed in a new coronavirus area a few weeks ago. All necessary anti-epidemic measures are currently provided by the Regional Public Health Office with its headquarters in Bratislava and are being followed in line with the guidelines of the Slovak Republic's main hygiene. Professionals of the RÚVZ, based in Bratislava, are looking for an epidemiological history, monitoring the persons with whom a man from the Bratislava region came into contact and providing other necessary precautions. A further occurrence of the disease may be expected from around the person with a confirmed case.In addition, given the current opportunities for people to travel between countries, it is possible that in Slovakia, despite the anti-epidemic measures taken at the site of the current outbreak, a further onset of COVID-19 disease from abroad to our territory may occur. At the same time, due to the current global migration of people and the way the infection is transmitted (drip

infection, the air route) is at risk for any travel to the affected areas. The necessity of travel should therefore be considered, said Chief Hygiene of the Slovak Republic Ján Mikas.

If you have not been in countries where COVID-19 disease is present or have not been in contact with people who have visited those countries and have experienced symptoms similar to COVID-19 disease, that is, cough, fever, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, headache and fatigue, it is very likely to be a classic flu or cold and therefore should not be panicked. Of course, even in the case of classical respiratory disease, including influenza, it is important to contact your treating doctor because even these diseases can cause serious health complications, stated Prime Minister Pellegrini.

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic informed that a ban on visits to Bratislava University Hospital is currently in place. He recommended that people consider attending mass events. He pointed out that all Slovak citizens with a registered SIM card would receive a SMS message in the short term with preventive measures that reduce the risk of infection with the new coronavirus.Important information for citizensIn view of the ongoing influenza season, the public is advised to take precautions that are effective in relation to droplet infections, including COVID-19:

Laboratory diagnosis of the new coronavirus is performed in the MDG for influenza in Slovakia from 03.02.2020. The health department released funds for ÚVZ SR to purchase additional laboratory equipment in order to improve laboratory diagnostics of viral and microbial diseases.The high-specialised equipment is complementary to the already existing instrumental equipment, which will ensure that laboratory diagnostics are improved not only for the new coronavirus but also for a wide range of both viral and microbial diseases. said Manager Department of Medical Microbiology ÚZ SR Mgr. Edita Staroňová. Highly specialized instrumentation is already located in the premises of ÚVZ SR. Laboratory professionals are currently undergoing detailed training.

Because of the increasing number of samples and in order to ensure better availability of laboratory diagnostics, we are currently working on the introduction of laboratory diagnostics for new coronavirus also at the Regional Public Health Office based in Banská Bystrica and the Regional Public Health Office based in Košice, added Chief Hygiene of the Slovak Republic Ján Mikas.Measures taken so far on COVID-19: