There is promising Hungarian research under way regarding the utilisation of antibodies derived from blood plasma; administration of the substance has begun in the case of one patient, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said Hungarian researchers and physicians at Szent László Hospital are among the first in the world to generate antibodies for the virus from blood plasma, and its administration to a patient in a severe condition already started on Thursday. Antibodies can be derived from the blood plasma of recovered patients. This is why they are asking infected and recovered patients to contact the authorities at the telephone number 30/6029250 or at the [[[WydsSsrfDRZnp2icdmVycGxhem1hQGRwY2tvcmhhei5odQ==]]] website.

The expert said staff members of the National Centre for Public Health are also examining the spread of the virus in our environment; so far they have not yet detected coronavirus in the capital’s sewage system.

Outlining the latest data of the epidemic, Ms. Müller highlighted that the number of confirmed patients had risen to 2,383 and there had been another 11 fatalities. As a result, the number of persons who have died of coronavirus infection has increased to 250. The latter are elderly almost exclusively, but the virus has also killed some younger persons suffering from chronic diseases.

As many as 877 patients are being treated in hospital, 61 of whom require assisted ventilation, while 401 persons have recovered from the disease, she listed.

Parallel with this, she continued, as part of contact searches, the number of laboratory tests is also on the rise, meaning that 58,251 tests have been carried out to date.

In answer to questions, she said the treatment of acute patients in the Tatabánya hospital will remain problem-free despite the fact that 29 workers of the institution have been quarantined.

At the same time, the Kiskunhalas mobile hospital is ready to receive patients; if the situation requires, its operation can start at any time, Ms. Müller said.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)