Mass infections will be hard to avoid in Hungary, but also at present, we are still in the phase of group incidences, the Chief Medical Officer pointed out in answer to a question at the Friday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said we must continue to avoid the possibility of transmitting the virus, and therefore we should stay at home and take good care of vulnerable groups.

Flattening the epidemic curve continues to remain the number one goal. While this “spreads out” the epidemic in time, it is better for health care because they will not have to cope with large numbers of patients all at once. The disciplined behaviour of members of the public and the observance of rules and recommendations help with this, she added.

She highlighted that the postponement of the vaccination of children is not justified; vaccines are being administered by paediatricians on appointment during their consulting hours. Regarding school vaccination programmes, she said these will evidently be postponed until after the epidemic; however, children will receive these vaccines as well. She pointed out that they had changed the protocol for health visitor care by minimising face-to-face interactions.

In order to disperse some false beliefs, Ms. Müller said neither hand dryers, nor UV lamps, nor alcohol/chlorine-based substances sprayed onto the skin prevent viral infection. She stressed that washing one’s hands in hot water with soap and thoroughly drying one’s hands are important, but hand dryers themselves do not exterminate the virus. UV light unnecessarily exposes the skin, and should be used more for objects and surfaces. The spraying of alcohol/chlorine-based substances onto the skin is not effective against the virus already in a person’s system. At the same time, these can irritate and harm the mucous membrane and the skin, she said.

The expert repeated that there is no vaccine against the coronavirus; however, several research groups are working on developing one. She also indicated that antibiotics are not effective against the coronavirus disease. At the same time, physicians could prescribe such drugs in order to prevent bacterial infection.

In answer to the question as to whether those recovering from the disease caused by coronavirus infection need to take any further precaution, the Chief Medical Officer replied in the negative. However, the amount of antibodies produced against the virus varies from person to person, and there is further research under way to determine how long they can provide immunity against another illness.

She also indicated that those arriving from abroad, including those who returned from the United States a few days ago, must retire to quarantine for two weeks. Exceptions are those who spent 14 days – the incubation period of the disease – in quarantine abroad, and have certificates from the relevant authorities verifying that their laboratory tests came back negative.

In response to reports that one of the vaccines used against pneumococcus in children is hard to obtain, Ms. Müller said the National Centre for Public Health had obtained stocks of this vaccine well before the start of the epidemic, and it was therefore available in sufficient quantities.

She also highlighted that the data published with respect to the infected are residence data, and added that there were no physicians, nurses or police officers among the deceased.

In answer to a question, she said there is no need to test the entire country as this would have no impact on the spread of the virus. The precautionary measures and rules introduced serve to slow down the spread of the epidemic. She said in cases where the suspicion of infection emerges, they carry out the laboratory tests.

In answer to another question, she confirmed that drugs featuring the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine are also being administered to patients in Hungary if the attending physician believes it is necessary. In her reply, Ms. Müller did not speak about the experiences of the application of this active ingredient in coronavirus patients.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)