Hungary is coming to the end of the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic, the Chief Medical Officer stated at the Monday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said on Sunday only six new coronavirus patients had been registered, the number of infections had fallen significantly, while the number of recovered patients was double the number of active patients.

1,182 persons are registered as active patients, while the number of recovered patients has risen to 2,248, she said.

On Sunday another two elderly persons died, and with this the number of fatalities has increased to 548. At present, 385 patients are being treated in hospital, including 21 requiring assisted ventilation.

Detailing the latest data, the expert said 58 per cent of confirmed patients are women; this percentage reflects the country’s demographic data.

One quarter of confirmed patients so far – 4,014 – came from the age group between 65 and 79 years (1,011), twenty per cent were aged over 80, 88 confirmed cases have been registered among those aged under 20, while the number of confirmed cases in persons under 15 currently stands at 33.

Ms. Müller highlighted that 41 confirmed cases and five fatalities fall on 100,000 inhabitants. Budapest remains the most affected as in the capital the number of active cases falling on 100,000 inhabitants is 108; 96 in Zala county, 94 in Komárom-Esztergom County, 89 in Fejér County and 45 in Pest County. The lowest rate has been recorded in Békés County with just three confirmed cases.

Regarding the epidemic curve, the Chief Medical Officer said in Hungary the first infection was confirmed in week 10 and the number of confirmed positive cases rose gradually until week 23. The highest number of patients was registered in week 15 (712), and from then on their number has decreased. The curve follows a similar pattern also in the case of fatalities, with a slight delay in time.

The first fatality occurred in week 11, while the highest number of fatalities related to complications caused by coronavirus infection was recorded in week 16, she said.

In answer to a question, Ms. Müller said, according to the latest report of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service, during the epidemic there were no blood supply problems, no interventions or other operations were postponed due to a shortage of blood.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)