Protecting the elderly is a top priority also in elderly care homes, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Wednesday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection.

Cecília Müller highlighted that protecting the elderly living in elderly care homes is equally a top priority. Therefore, a number of measures have already been introduced, including the introduction of a visiting ban and a ban on the admission of new residents.

She said it is important that people should not gather in larger groups in elderly care homes either. In these homes, “curfew” should be interpreted in such a way that residents are allowed to go out to the garden if the institution has one, and the rooms of residents in inpatient care should be frequently aired. Regular daily physical exercise and healthy eating are likewise important, while residents should confine contact with family members to telephone or other remote forms of communication, she added.

The expert said, in the case of the elderly, clinical symptoms vary, depending on the state of the immune system and age. If anyone has respiratory problems, they should inform members of the nursing staff who will then alert a physician.

At the same time, Ms. Müller thanked persons working in social institutions for their efforts, and said slowing down the spread of the epidemic continues to remain the top priority.

According to the latest data, there are 226 confirmed coronavirus patients in Hungary, and ten persons have died of the disease; all of them suffered from different chronic diseases. According to official data, 21 persons have recovered from the disease, and 6,817 samples have been tested in the accredited laboratory. Six persons are in need of intensive care.

In answer to a question, Ms. Müller said Hungarian laboratory tests are being conducted in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations; two laboratory tests are required in suspected coronavirus cases.

Regarding hospital capacities, she pointed out that all hospitals had been prepared for receiving patients; institutions are increasing their capacities every week.

Ms. Müller highlighted, answering a question, that the number of patients with mild symptoms or without symptoms could be several times the number of registered patients as in 80 per cent of cases this is the typical progression of the disease.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)