Spanish town moves to test all residents in $1.1 million drive

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Spain has suffered one of the highest death tolls in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the country is beginning to win its fight against the virus.

More than 27,000 people have lost their lives to the disease in Spain, but over the past seven days the nation has recorded just 38 deaths and slowly eased lockdown measures.

In the small town of Torrejon, in Madrid, the local council is using a radical approach to try to isolate the virus and stop it from spreading once and for all.

The town of Torrejon, in Madrid, is attempting to mass test its entire 130,000 population for COVID-19 at a cost of $1.1million to the local council./Reuters

Torrejon wants to mass test its entire 130,000 population, at a cost of $1.1 million to the local council, and began a six-day testing drive on Friday.

The program's director of mass testing, Pepa Soriano, said: "We have started the first tests, they are serological tests, antibody tests.

"Citizens will know if they are negative or positive in relation to the virus and if they are positive they will know what stage they are at. We'll know if they still have the virus or if they are immune to the illness."

The program's director of mass testing, Pepa Soriano, says the tests will inform people if they are carrying the virus or have previously contracted it. /Reuters

Testing isn't compulsory for residents, but the response has been positive. A continuous flow of people were seen standing in socially distanced queues outside testing tents in the baking heat over the weekend.

Francisco Javier Arroyo, who works as a cleaner in the town, said: "I think it's good, so that we know which people have the virus. As we have so many asymptomatic people, it's always difficult."

Pharmacy technician, Noelia Aranda, said she's relieved to have at last been tested: "Well, I think it's positive and I have been very exposed due to my work all this time and I have never had a test. I believe it's good for me and for everyone."

Pharmacy technician, Noelia Aranda, says she's relieved to have at last had a test after being 'exposed to the virus' because of her job. /Reuters

Spain remains cautious over its falling death toll and has warned that figures could fluctuate as the nation employs new methods for collecting data about infections and fatalities.

But if Torrejon can win its own battle with COVID-19, it could give the country another small but vital victory in its fight against the virus.

Video editing: Pedro Duarte.

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Source(s): Reuters