The number of infections has decreased significantly for days, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said in the past 24 hours 39 new cases have been registered and the number of fatalities has increased by ten. There are 1,966 active cases from the total 3,150 confirmed coronavirus cases; around half of them are being treated in hospital. The number of recovered patients has increased significantly to 801, she added.

According to the Chief Medical Officer’s evaluation, it is promising that the preliminary model calculations and epidemic estimates appear to have been right. “It seems that a fall has started in the number of incidences and infections,” she said.

Ms. Müller also said outdoor bathing facilities and the outdoor parts of baths have been allowed to reopen in the countryside. In this regard, she highlighted that baths and natural bathing facilities could be reopened in possession of the competent authority’s permission, after an onsite inspection.

She stressed that also in these places we must continue to observe the rules of safe distancing; in pools, this means an area of four square metres per person. Operators will have to ensure that only a fixed number of customers are allowed in, she pointed out.

Ms. Müller further mentioned that customers were allowed to use showers, changing rooms and other service facilities even if they were in buildings attached to the bathing facilities, but these would have to be disinfected more frequently, on an hourly basis, while the wristbands used for entry would have to be disinfected after each use.

She highlighted that those who are ill or have any skin problems should not visit bathing facilities, and everyone should take a shower both before and after using the pool.

Before use, pools must be subjected to mechanical cleaning, and the chlorine content of the disinfectants used must be 50 milligrams per litre, she said. She indicated that in nature the virus is vulnerable and quickly dies; therefore, there is no need for using more chlorine than usual in pool water.

At this point, only pools with circulation systems are allowed to be used; the use of so-called “fill and empty” pools, thermal water pools and pools “featuring aerosol-generating recreational elements” is not allowed.

Ms. Müller highlighted that enclosed baths and pools in enclosed spaces cannot be used, while the use of saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and slides situated in indoor spaces is likewise not allowed.

Similar rules apply to the use of fitness centres in the countryside, the Chief Medical Officer said in answer to a question. Overcrowding must be avoided, fitness equipment must be regularly disinfected, after each use, and the same protocol should also be followed in common spaces, changing rooms and showers.

In answer to another question, Ms. Müller said two children are being treated in hospital with coronavirus infection; their condition is satisfactory.

(MTI)