The number of new confirmed coronavirus infections has stagnated for a week, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus. She underlined that in Hungary PCR tests are free for everyone if deemed justified by a general practitioner, the disease control authority or a hospital.

Cecília Müller added that wearing a face mask in places where a safe distance of a metre and a half cannot be kept continues to remain a priority for everyone.

She said in Hungary PCR tests are free for everyone who needs them. The procedure remains the same: in the event of a suspected case of infection, the general practitioner orders the test with the National Ambulance Service.

Out of the 657,437 tests performed so far, only a negligible number of tests have been carried out against the payment of a fee, Ms. Müller observed.

Regarding the fixed official price of the test, she said the price was calculated on a cost basis, and they sought to fix a price which is not unrealistic and ensures that no one can profiteer from PCR tests.

Outlining the latest data, Ms. Müller said another 750 Hungarian citizens have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus infection, while seven patients have died. Among the deceased, the youngest was aged 40, while the eldest 81. At present, 549 persons require hospitalisation, including thirty-two requiring assisted ventilation, she said.

Also based on a WHO recommendation, in the case of a person who has not displayed symptoms for minimum three days, does not have an elevated body temperature and no longer displays respiratory symptoms, provided that minimum ten days have passed since the beginning of symptoms, isolation can be lifted. Isolation can also be lifted in the case of a person who has remained asymptomatic during the ten days of quarantine; in this case, there is no need for a PCR test. In the case of patients treated in hospital, if they are released with two negative test results, there is no need for isolation. If the patient responds well to therapy and is released from hospital, he or she is required to stay at home for as many days as are left of the ten-day quarantine.

The Chief Medical Officer stressed that the necessary capacity is available for all disease control tests and examinations, and reagents are also available in sufficient quantities.

In answer to the question as to whether there is any risk involved in a person suffering from coronavirus infection being administered with the vaccine against the flu, Ms. Müller said in every instance the attending physician decides about the possible administration of the vaccine after having examined the patient.

In the present epidemic, the procedure remains the same. She pointed out that those over the age of 65 are strongly recommended to have themselves vaccinated.

In answer to another question, she said there is no central instruction that would ban tooth cleaning in nursery schools; in actual fact, she asked nursery school teachers to not abandon young children’s dental hygiene.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)