Budapest could become an epicentre unless restrictions are observed, the Chief Medical Officer highlighted at the Tuesday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic. She added that with the rise in the number of coronavirus patients, everyone is in ever greater danger, there is an ever greater chance of anyone becoming infected.

Cecília Müller repeatedly drew attention to the responsibility of the workers and operators of social institutions, and asked them to fully observe the tightened restrictions.

She added that, despite the measures implemented earlier in relation to elderly care homes, such as the visiting ban, a full curfew and a ban on the admission of new residents, they had failed to prevent the virus from reaching these institutions. She indicated that a new protocol had been developed for these institutions which could help to prevent the spread of the virus. As part of this, a person or a team of persons must be appointed who are exclusively responsible for caring for sick people.

Ms. Müller drew attention to the fact that wherever possible the workers of these institutions should minimise the use of public transport, while the working schedule of 24 hours followed by 48 hours of rest, too, is designed to reduce daily movements.

She also said at the Pesti út elderly care home a disease control investigation was still under way; based on the latest data, 53 residents and 12 nurses have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection. They are screening the entire home, she added.

The Chief Medical Officer also announced that from China 400,000 tablets containing the active ingredient favipiravir had arrived in Hungary. This antiviral drug shortens the duration of infection. Patients who received the drug were positive for viral infection for four days, while without the medication this period lasts for 11 days. Favipiravir was originally licensed in Japan, and has since been administered both for influenza and Ebola infections. The domestic licensing of the drug is under way; attending physicians are free to decide on its administration.

In answer to a question regarding the Hungarian fatality rate compared with the data of other countries, Ms. Müller said Hungarian data is not significantly different from the data of neighbouring countries, but the details supplied cannot be compared. Different countries keep different records of the sick and the deceased. The most typical data would be the fatality rate to the total population figure, and if we consider this number, Hungary is in the lower third compared with other countries, she said.

In answer to the question as to whether they are planning to carry out serological testing on a representative population sample in order to assess the actual extent of the epidemic, the Chief Medical Officer answered in the affirmative. She added that a research plan had been prepared which would the determine the rate of infection in the population.

As to whether after the present coronavirus epidemic there will be a second or even a third wave of infection, Ms. Müller said there are a number of research projects in progress in this regard. There are scientific documents which foresee multiple waves of epidemic. If this projection proves to be true, they hope that these waves will be less severe. However, at this point in time, no one knows anything for certain, the Chief Medical Officer pointed out.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)