Former presidents of Slovakia call upon the people to get vaccinated, as inoculation is the best way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, reads a statement signed by formers presidents Rudolf Schuster (1999-2004), Ivan Gasparovič (2004-14) and Andrej Kiska (2014-19). "We, former presidents of the Slovak Republic, reach out to all the citizens of our Slovak Republic with a call. COVID-19 is attacking with growing strength and we have at our disposal the most efficient way to fight back - vaccination," reads the text.
The former heads of state thanked those who have been vaccinated already and urged those without any hampering medical ailments to do so at the earliest opportunity. "It is about a sense of responsibility towards our loved ones, friends and colleagues at work, and a great show of responsibility towards the health personnel fighting for our lives in hospitals. Our gratitude belongs to everyone who shows care about the people around them and themselves."
Being the fourth most common cause of death in Slovakia, novel coronavirus increased excess mortality in the country in October once more, the Statistics Office reported on Monday. The overall excess mortality reached 16% in October. The highest excess mortality was seen in the age category of younger seniors (between 65-74 years). The worst situation was in the Prešov region with the number of deaths standing as much as 42% above the five-year average.
