UK coronavirus variant found in 74% of Slovak cases; country to open some schools

FILE PHOTO: Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, October 15, 2020. Olivier Hoslet/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The UK coronavirus variant, more infectious than the previously dominant strain, has taken over as the main cause of new COVID-19 cases in Slovakia, Prime Minister Igor Matovic said on Friday.

The central European country of 5.5 million has struggled to bring down daily cases despite lockdown measures and widespread testing, which is required for people to go out including to work.