In the past few days, the number of coronavirus patients being treated in hospital has risen by more than a hundred, the Chief Medical Officer stated at the online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection on Saturday.

Cecília Müller added that 829 persons were in need of hospital treatment, including 60 requiring assisted ventilation.

She said in social institutions the number of patients and deceased is on the rise; 21 of the residents of the Pesti út elderly care home have died.

Ms. Müller reported that in 18 social homes around the country, the virus tests of 386 residents and 45 workers came back positive. The inspection of institutions, including the one at Pesti út is ongoing also at the weekend, she said.

She highlighted that the number of infected persons has now risen to 1,834, and in the past 24 hours there have been another 16 fatalities. With one exception, all the deceased are elderly persons. At the same time, one of the victims of the infection was a 42-year-old woman suffering from multiple underlying illnesses.

So far 33 persons cared for in elderly care homes around the country have died in consequence of contracting coronavirus infection, she added.

She stressed that, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), they are carrying out multiple repeated laboratory tests among the residents of elderly care homes. At the same time, she continued, disease control decisions are based not exclusively on laboratory tests because they only reflect the situation at the time the patient’s blood is taken.

This means that basic disease control measures, in particular, isolation are very important, she said.

According to her information, Budapest and Pest County continue to remain the country’s most infected areas, accounting for more than 60 per cent of registered coronavirus infections. There is a high number of infections in Fejér County as well.

In answer to questions, she said during the containment effort they are continuously relying on international experiences, primarily practices observed in the V4 Member States and Austria.

In answer to the question as to whether parents are allowed to stay in hospital with an infected child, she said if in the institution conditions allow the proper isolation of the child and mother, it is possible.

She also said if a person becomes infected, the disease control investigation decides which family members should be tested. According to the current practice, those living in the same household are tested, while more distant family members are only tested if they came into close contact with the infected person, she added.

Finally, she stressed that it is necessary to vacate beds because in Hungary we would not like to see images such as those we have seen in Italy where, in many instances, patients had to be treated in corridors.

The goal is to ensure that everyone should have access to appropriate care under any circumstances, Ms. Müller said.

(MTI)