COVID-19 test instructional video shows how testing is performed, all testing procedures and spaces are approved by medical and hygiene authorities

The Ministry of Defence has released a COVID-19 test instructional video (Metodika na odberovom mieste), produced by the SVK Armed Forces as a practical demonstration of the testing procedures followed for the collection of samples at the testing sites. The video provides a general description of the test administration and is not intended for the medical staff who will take the biological samples. The procedures have been repeatedly consulted with Prof Pavol Jarčuška of the SVK Pandemic Commission and Prof Jozef Šuvada ME MPH of the Ministry of Health.

The testing spaces presented in the video are solely for illustrative purposes. It is obvious that different facilities will be used in the trial mass testing of the SVK population for COVID-19. Most importantly, all of them will be approved by the regional hygiene authority and will be suitable and safe. Hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants will be available at the testing sites and personnel will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Our priority is to perform swab testing in open spaces, however, this may not always be possible.

Needless to note, coughing and nose blowing are common practices in the process of testing for COVID-19 even at other workplaces and private testing centres. Both are intended to eliminate the nasopharyngeal mucus in order to keep the swab clean. To this end, people are asked to blow their noses and cough into a handkerchief, which minimises the transmission of airborne particles (aerosols) into the outer environment.