The dynamic of the epidemic has changed favourably, the rise in patient numbers is slowing down, Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller said at the online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus epidemic on Tuesday.

Regarding the dynamic of the epidemic, while during weeks 34, 35 and 36 the number of new cases tripled week after week, from week 36 to 37 it only increased one and a half-fold, from week 37 to 38 by a third, and in the past few days, the number of new infections has only risen by 2 per cent. In the past ten days, the number of new confirmed cases has been just below a thousand, the expert said.

From a value above two earlier, the reproduction rate has fallen and is now only slightly above one, meaning that one positive person only infects one other, Ms. Müller added.

At the same time, the Chief Medical Officer warned that the virus is present everywhere in the country, anyone could contract it, and it is therefore important to strictly observe the rules of hygiene, in particular, those relating to social distancing and the wearing of face masks.

She said compared with the first wave in the spring, the distribution of confirmed cases by ages has changed. In the second wave, almost 25 per cent of new cases are from those aged between 20 and 29, those aged between 30 and 60 account for 43 per cent, while those over the age of 60 now only account for 15 per cent. It is reassuring that the percentage of those under 14 is low, it is around 4 per cent, she observed.

She said the territorial distribution of infections does not have the same information value as it did in the spring when the epidemic emerged in epicentres because today we are observing the wider communal spread of the disease. At present, on a national average, there are 253 positive cases among one hundred thousand inhabitants; there are 534 in Budapest, 280 in Csongrád-Csanád County, 270 in Fejér County, 120 in Tolna County, while in Békés County only 85 confirmed infections fall on one hundred thousand inhabitants.

Ms. Müller drew attention to the importance of observing the basic rules of compulsory home quarantine. Among these she mentioned that persons placed under quarantine are not allowed to leave their homes and are not allowed to receive visitors. She advised persons in quarantine to isolate themselves, as far as possible, from their family members. The goal is for everyone to lead their normal lives and to return to work as soon as possible, she said.

In answer to a question, she said at this time the tightening of disease control measures is not on the agenda because it seems that with the reproduction rate of around one the epidemic is stagnating.

In answer to another question, she pointed out that in general in workplaces the wearing of face masks is not compulsory. However, after the assessment of risks, the employer and the occupational physician decide whether workers are required to wear face masks in given jobs or positions. Asymptomatic workers may use single-use face masks for 4 to 5 hours, while textile masks, too, should be replaced after being worn for around the same number of hours.

In response to a further question, she said in health care the suspension of elective procedures is not on the agenda. Elective interventions are being carried out on the basis of prior appointment. “We would like to be able to maintain this for as long as possible,” she stated.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)