Crisis Commissioner Lenarčič argues for widespread testing
Brussels, 17 March - European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič told the Slovenian press in Brussels on Tuesday that the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease (ECDC) both advised as much testing for coronavirus as possible. The Slovenian said practically all members had failed to heed warnings and properly prepare for the crisis.
Brussels, Belgium
European Crisis management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič.
Photo: Thierry Monasse/STA
Speaking about the measures being taken by the European Commission, Lenarčič said the Commission was in favour of strictly following ECDC recommendations, which include wide testing.
The same view on testing is held by the WHO and by Chinese health workers on the basis of their experience, the commissioner added, noting Singapore and South Korea, which are fairly successfully in dealing with the virus, felt this way as well.
Testing is being restricted in Slovenia, with the government's expert advisor Bojana Beović arguing a few days ago that it was no longer necessary to test everybody who had been in contact with a confirmed patient. But today she said Slovenia was still conducting around 1,000 tests a day.
Lenarčič said he did not know what the decision of the Slovenian government was based on and added that the WHO and ECDC also recommended systematically tracing the contacts and sending them into isolation.
The commissioner highlighted two issues: "The speed at which this virus has been spreading has surprised everyone, including many epidemiologists ... while the second problem is that people did not take the situation seriously enough unit recently."
Lenarčič, who hopes this has changed, believes that the measures being taken now can start producing effects in a week or two, provided the public cooperates.
He meanwhile expressed regret member states failed to immediately respond to the Commission's recommendation to prepare and secure enough capacities and material. It turned out that the reserves of protective equipment are modest in practically all member states, he said.
Lenarčič said the Commission had immediately taken action. It is currently coordinating three joint procurement projects that involve most member states and concern protective material, ventilators, lab equipment and testing kits.
The consent was secured today from member states to start building a European strategic reserve for such equipment, as well in the future for vaccines for any cases of the EU facing a shared health threat, he explained.