All victims of the coronavirus epidemic in Hungary suffered from underlying chronic diseases, the Chief Medical Officer highlighted at the Tuesday online press conference of the Operational Group for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller announced that the number of fatalities had risen to 16. Most of the victims suffered from cardiovascular diseases, while there were also patients suffering from cancer. The 16th victim fell into a very high-risk group from an immunology point of view, she stated.

The Chief Medical Officer also announced that they had published a list of the victims on the koronavirus.gov.hu website, stating their age, sex and underlying chronic diseases.

Ms. Müller added at the same time that there was also cause for joy as 37 recovered patients have already been released from institutions.

She stressed that during the period ahead the number of laboratory tests would increase significantly; they will test every suspected case.

The Chief Medical Officer thanked everyone, including those – in addition to health care workers working on the frontline – who are helping to disrupt the chain of infection and flatten the curve of the epidemic by observing the rules of the restrictions on movement. She thanked particularly those who, following from their earlier lifestyles, find staying at home especially hard, but do so nonetheless. She mentioned athletes and artists as examples.

According to Ms. Müller, it is important for everyone to occupy themselves with something they find pleasure in during these days of isolation, and instead of drowning negative feelings in harmful addictions, they should talk to friends and specialists. Naturally, by telephone or communicating online, she added.

Also on this occasion, the Chief Medical Officer advised everyone to avoid non-authentic news sources generating panic, to follow a regular daily regime, and to exercise daily. She said it is especially important that parents should talk to their children at length, not deny the problem, and give them clear answers about the epidemic.

In answer to questions, she said it is wise to cook Easter ham and eggs thoroughly, to wash eggs with disinfectant beforehand and to leave them to dry. She observed that eating raw eggs and meat is not recommended.

In answer to further questions, Ms. Müller confirmed that, based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations, they recommend the wearing of face masks primarily for health care workers, patient care workers and members of the law enforcement agencies. However, it is likewise not contraindicated for anyone who derives a sense of safety from wearing a mask. She stressed, at the same time, that the incorrect wearing of face masks involving frequent touching of the face can be positively dangerous. The expert recommends the washing of masks at minimum 60 degrees for the disinfection of sewn masks.

The Chief Medical Officer also highlighted in answer to a question that people may only leave their homes for the reasons stated in the restrictions on movement, and these do not include moving to a new home. Therefore, she asked everyone to stay where they were at the time of the entry into force of the regulations.

She highlighted that they continue to ask the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to stay at home.

Ms. Müller said the state provides designated accommodation for those who do not wish to spend the compulsory home quarantine in their homes in the interest of protecting their families and immediate environment.

She pointed out that the best way to compare the spread of the virus in different countries was by comparing the number of confirmed patients to the given country’s total population.

The Chief Medical Officer highlighted that no epicentres had developed in Hungary; the coronavirus epidemic is spreading evenly around the country. She said soon the mass phase of the epidemic will set in when incidences become mass. However, health care institutions are continuously preparing for this situation. Every year, hospitals prepare so-called health care contingency plans whose review she ordered earlier.

Ms. Müller mentioned that among the infected there were also very young children between the ages of one and two years. Some of them need medical assistance, while others are not even displaying the mildest symptoms, she added.

She indicated that hospitalisation was only necessary if warranted by a high temperature, breathlessness or suffocation.

In answer to the last question, the Chief Medical Officer asked those visiting fitness centres to use the premises in a staggered schedule, subject to increased disinfection protocols.

(MTI)