The number of active coronavirus patients in need of hospital treatment has fallen to one third, while before almost half of all patients were treated in health care institutions, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Monday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said only 568 of the 1,673 active coronavirus patients are now being treated in hospital, including 46 requiring assisted ventilation.

In the past day or two, there has been a very moderate, but clear rise in confirmed epidemic figures, she indicated. Therefore, she called upon everyone to observe basic protective regulations even after the lifting of restrictive measures.

The Chief Medical Officer said from Monday new disease control regulations and assessment methods have taken effect; Budapest and the countryside are being monitored separately. According to the latest data, the division of active patients between the capital and the countryside stands at 45 and 55 per cent, respectively. Sixty-two per cent of the deceased were registered in Budapest, while 45 per cent of recovered patients are from the capital: 636 of the total 1,400 recovered patients were registered in Budapest, and 764 in the countryside, she said.

Ms. Müller said in Hungary 462 persons have died of confirmed coronavirus infection; by Monday, that number had risen by 11. They all typically suffered from chronic diseases; the number of those without any detected underlying conditions is very low. The deceased were typically aged over 60, but mostly over 80.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, in Hungary the number of infected persons falling on one hundred thousand persons has been 36.2. In Budapest, this number is 95, in Fejér County 85.9, in Zala County 83.4, in Komárom-Esztergom County 66.2 and in Pest County 37.2, she listed.

Ms. Müller recalled that from Monday further health care services had been made available, including elective surgery and interventions as well as in the treatment of chronic diseases and curative therapy, while non-public health care screening tests are also available now. In every instance, however, appointments must be booked by telephone.

In hospitals further beds have been released and one third of the beds reserved earlier due to the coronavirus infection are now available, in particular for the treatment of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases which account for a significant percentage of fatalities. Methodological recommendations have been developed with the involvement of the National Institute for Cardiology in order to make care safe and professional both as regards therapy and disease control considerations, the Chief Medical Officer outlined.

She spoke at length about the possibility of holding summer camps, highlighting that for the time being the organisation of day-camps has been allowed; a decision will be made about overnight camps and ‘itinerant’ camps subject to the development of the epidemic situation.

She stressed, however, that only healthy children and personnel are allowed to attend camps; parents and other adults, including personnel providing meals and technical support will be required to complete a form required by law. All camps will be required to feature isolation facilities, in the case of camps with more than 300 children, an onsite physician, and protective equipment for the event that any children should fall ill.

In camps, there must be one bathing facility for every 20 persons, before opening, insect and rodent extermination must be carried out, while stringent professional rules must be in place regarding the storage of hazardous substances such as disinfectants and cleaning substances in the interest of avoiding poisoning.

Ms. Müller said they primarily recommend outdoor activities for camp participants, while if due to the weather they are compelled to remain indoors, they should have sessions in small groups where appropriate safe distancing will have to be observed. Smaller children must be taught basic rules of hygiene, while parents can supply older children with alcohol-based hand sanitisers and wipes. At the same time, nothing substitutes for the frequent and thorough washing of the hands with soap, she observed.

In answer to a question, the Chief Medical Officer said UV-C lights are only effective in the case of objects in the immediate vicinity, and so they can only play a supplementary role during disinfecting.

She also said the protocol has not changed in the case of new patients confirmed on the basis of PCR tests, meaning that after a positive result they are required to retire to compulsory home quarantine for 14 days if their general state of health is satisfactory.

In answer to another question, Ms. Müller said if the epidemic situation allows, “we will most certainly not stand in the way of” summer mass events which are already being planned in many places. At the same time, there is no obstacle now to grandchildren and grandparents visiting one another, provided that they are all healthy.

The health care expert said in answer to a further question that 14 per cent of infected persons registered since the beginning of the epidemic, meaning 500 persons are health care workers, including 264 active cases of infection at present. This percentage is similar to the figures of other countries comparable with Hungary. At the same time, there are countries with substantially higher figures and a great many fatalities.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)