At the Sunday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic, due to the accumulation of infections in Budapest and Pest County, the Chief Medical Officer asked those living in the capital and in Pest County to meticulously observe the rules of distancing and restrictions on movement.

Cecília Müller stressed that there is a great risk of the “epidemic exploding” in Budapest as data shows that there are the highest number of infected persons in Budapest and Pest County, 62 per cent of confirmed cases. Therefore, the Chief Medical Officer expects more attention and cooperation from the people.

She also drew attention to the fact that the time slot designated for shopping for the elderly is not for unlimited “wandering”, meaning that they should only leave their homes if it is absolutely essential. She highlighted that this has enormous significance, and asked people “not to relax” the measures adopted by the government. She said many people do not take the restrictions on movement seriously, and interpret the time slot reservedfor shopping and the procurement of essential items incorrectly.

She stressed that only those should go out who absolutely must, while she asked young people to avoid group gatherings and meetings with friends.

In answer to a question, she said those living in houses with gardens can go out into their gardens, but they are advised against receiving company or relatives living in more remote parts of the country even with the advent of Easter.

Ms. Müller also underlined in connection with a question that the present laboratory capacity is sufficient for carrying out the necessary tests. She said coronavirus patients are also being treated in hospitals other than the South Pest Central Hospital.

She highlighted that health care workers around the world are more exposed to the risk of infection; more than 10 per cent of all infected persons are health care workers worldwide. She mentioned as an example that in Lombardy 20 per cent of infected persons are health care workers, China reported 10 per cent, while in Poland this percentage is between 10 and 15 per cent. In Hungary, 12 per cent of coronavirus patients are health care workers.

She also indicated that those working in hospitals and in basic health care are being issued with protective supplies on an ongoing basis. Ms. Müller said, in addition to a coronavirus manual, a short instructional video has also been prepared for them.

In answer to the question as to whether there are any hospital wards where disease control quarantine had to be imposed, Ms. Müller said patients infected with the coronavirus are being treated in several hospitals in multiple locations. If this many patients are treated in any given hospital ward, quarantine is imposed. In this case, another hospital is designated for the treatment of non-coronavirus patients.

The Chief Medical Office said, upon the purchase of foodstuffs, as a rule of thumb, we should first inspect the goods and only put in the basket the selected product. We should avoid touching products. In the case of non-packaged goods, we should use the tongs or scoops provided. Wearing gloves when shopping is not essential, but on returning home everyone must wash their hands.

She also reported that the number of confirmed patients had risen to 733, and another two persons over the age of 80 suffering from other chronic diseases had died. As a result, the number of fatalities connected to the virus infection has risen to 34.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)