Romania Starts Mass Testing for Covid-19 in Schools

Romania starts mass testing for Covid-19 in schools. The measure is necessary to identify the infected kids and to prevent the spreading.

There are around 3 million pupils in Romania, from which 1.8 million start school on Monday in classes, while the rest begin online. The rule is for schools with at least 60% of the teachers vaccinated to start school in classes.

For testing the kids, 70 million non-invasive tests were ordered. The testing method is based on saliva analysis. Even so, the positive tests have to be confirmed afterward by a PCR test, as in Romania, the results of the non-invasive tests are not officially recognized.

The authorities hope for slowing the pandemic, which has wreaked havoc in the country. The fourth wave caused around 18,000 infections and 500 deaths per day at its peak, while the hospitals were overwhelmed. At the moment, the wave is losing its strength, and the situation seems to ease down.