Slovakia's mass Covid testing cut infection rate by 60%, researchers say

UK study finds rapid tests coupled with tough quarantine rules helped bring rate down

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Mass testing for Covid brought down the infection rate in Slovakia by about 60% in one week, say UK researchers - but in combination with tough quarantine rules and other measures that are not being implemented in Liverpool or elsewhere in the UK.

Slovakia guaranteed high take-up of the rapid tests by requiring employers not to allow people to work without a certificate to prove they had tested negative. Anybody who got a positive result had to go into quarantine with their family, but their full salary was paid for the 10 days of isolation.