The coronavirus could infect already 48 hours before symptoms start displaying, the Chief Medical Officer said at the online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus epidemic held on Monday.

Cecília Müller asked everyone to observe the rules of hygiene. She said the established rules work, if we observe them, we can flatten the epidemic curve which was the goal also during the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic.

She drew attention to the importance of the correct wearing of face masks and social distancing, highlighting that everyone owes a great deal of personal responsibility. It is important that our attention should not diminish in the interest of preserving our own health as well as the health of members of our community and family, the Chief Medical Officer said appealing to everyone.

Ms. Müller said in the past 24 hours the number of confirmed, positive coronavirus cases has risen by 1,173, resulting in 26,832 active coronavirus infections at present. She mentioned that during the same period fourteen persons had died, aged between 55 and 78; all of them suffered from chronic diseases.

The Chief Medical Officer said at present 154 persons require assisted ventilation, the number of recovered patients is above 11,000, while during the epidemic so far 843,097 PCR tests have been carried out.

Ms. Müller asked general practitioners to use the National Ambulance Service’s electronic sampling request system, through which – by completing an electronic form – they can ask the ambulance service to take samples more swiftly.

In answer to a question, she said in the institutions providing care for COVID patients, the medicine with the active ingredient remdesivir that can be used for the treatment of coronavirus patients is available. She announced that the local manufacturer Richter, too, makes the preparation and supplies it to hospitals.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)