In Hungary the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic is on its way out, but on other continents the virus is still spreading intensively, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Friday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said since the outbreak of the epidemic, 5.5 million coronavirus cases have been recorded, and 350,000 persons have died of the disease.

She highlighted that the pandemic is not over yet; the number of new infections is increasing further in Brazil, the United States, Russia, India and Peru.

Ms. Müller said in Hungary the number of new infections is not increasing, and an improvement is also observable in elderly care homes and social homes; in the past 24 hours, no new infections have been registered in these institutions.

Also at present, the main problem experts are faced with is how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in closed communities, she indicated.

She also highlighted that the national distribution of new cases “testifies to a state of balance”.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, the Chief Medical Officer said with the passage of the law on the protection of non-smokers in 2012 Hungary has taken the lead in the effort to reduce smoking.

In order to check compliance with the legislation, every year some 30,000 inspections are carried out, and experiences show that people appear to observe the law regarding this matter, she said, adding that young people should also be won for the cause, but it is welcome news that also among them the number of non-smokers is on the rise.

Regarding the positive tests of the workers of a nursery school in Budaörs, she said the local government tested them with the rapid test; however, the laboratory PCR tests proved to be negative. She highlighted that in general there is no need for the laboratory testing of workers for the reopening of nursery schools and creches.

In this regard, in answer to a question, Ms. Müller said with the reopening of day-care institutions for children, the frequent presence of paediatricians in these institutions is strongly recommended and necessary. “It is desirable, necessary and recommended; this is why I asked paediatricians to visit in person the institutions which they supervise,” she said. She also indicated that the surgeries of paediatric general practitioners are receiving patients; their services can be used with prior appointment booked by telephone.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)