In some elderly care homes, health care has been “compromised”; therefore, in elderly care homes there will be compulsory inspections, the Chief Medical Officer said at the online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic on Wednesday.

Cecília Müller warned that elderly care homes were especially at risk, and therefore, operators had a special responsibility. All shortcomings must be eliminated, she added.

In the Pesti út Elderly Care Home in Budapest four residents have died of coronavirus infection. More than half of the residents have already been tested, everyone will be examined, the Chief Medical Officer said.

Ms. Müller stressed that infected persons displaying mild symptoms who are staying in institutions must be closely monitored.

She added that they had introduced a ban on the admission of new residents and a visiting ban in good time, while residents are not allowed to leave. These restrictions also apply to the Easter period.

The Chief Medical Officer said in the past 24 hours another 11 persons have died, and the number of the infected has risen by 78. At the same time, the number of recovered patients released from health care institutions has increased to 94. According to her information, the two patients who previously required assisted ventilation – who have since been taken off mechanical ventilation – are fine.

She said the presence of the virus continues to remain the most concentrated in Budapest and Pest County; almost two thirds of all infected persons are from this area. However, all counties are affected, and as a result, any settlement could become affected.

In answer to a question, she added that the obvious reason for this is that the capital and its environs are densely populated, and that in Budapest there are far more large institutions than in other parts of the country.

She also said seeing the progression of the epidemic in other parts of the world, she “hardly” sees the emergence of mass incidences as avoidable. At the same time, this is the very purpose of the measures implemented so far.

In answer to another question, she said paramedics use both methods, including rapid tests for screening possible infections.

She also highlighted that in addition to the 7 laboratories previously designated for coronavirus testing, from Tuesday the National Korányi Institute for Pulmonology is also carrying out tests.

In answer to the question as to how – after the reorganisation of health care – patients not suffering from coronavirus infection are being treated, she said the health care system is gradually preparing for receiving coronavirus patients, and therefore, at this time health care institutions are only performing urgent interventions and interventions, the postponement of which could result in health impairment.

She added, however, that the latter interventions must be carried out. Therefore, she suggested that if this was not the case, patients should first contact the head of the given institution, followed by the patient rights representative and the National Centre for Public Health.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)