State of emergency extended to private healthcare facilities

The higher level state of emergency that has been in place for state-run hospitals has been officially extended as of Thursday to all segments of health care in Slovakia, including private facilities. The scope also covers emergency services, the public health office, as well as funeral services. This means that employees of these authorities and institutions cannot refuse to come to work or declare a strike. However, according to outgoing Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, the state of emergency does not apply to the outpatient sector, i.e. general practitioners or outpatient specialists. On Wednesday, Peter Pellegrini also stated that there are currently enough empty beds in hospitals, and no medical equipment has had to be moved to date. On Thursday noon, the number of cases of COVID-19 disease in Slovakia remained at 105. Thirty-five patients are hospitalised, none of whom need lung ventilation.