Everyone is exposed to the threat of coronavirus infection, the young are no exception, the Chief Medical Officer stated at the Wednesday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said the virus is present in every county of the country. In densely populated areas such as in Budapest and Pest County case numbers are higher, but not a single settlement can possibly believe that the epidemic will avoid them, she highlighted.

She added that from now on, on the koronavirus.gov.hu website they were stating the numbers of infected persons in a breakdown by counties.

She also said the number of infected persons is not increasing drastically in Hungary, the rate of the increase is even, and this is promising. It is also true that the infected transmit the disease to one or two persons living in their immediate environment.

In Hungary, there is no exponential rise in the number of patients as observed in some neighbouring countries, and this is probably owing to the measures implemented, she added.

The Chief Medical Officer reported that in the past 24 hours four persons had died of coronavirus infection; they all suffered from cardiovascular diseases as well.

The average age of the 20 persons who have died of coronavirus infection so far is 73 years, and they include 12 men and 8 women. This also confirms that the “grave progression” of the disease is a threat primarily for the elderly and patients suffering from chronic diseases.

She added that this did not mean that the virus did not make young people and children sick.

Ms. Müller said 80 per cent of the infected do not detect symptoms or only observe mild symptoms, and do not see a doctor. This is also why it is important for everyone to observe the disease control regulations because asymptomatic people, too, can carry the virus and spread the disease.

The 525 confirmed patients either had symptoms or came into contact with other infected persons; this is why they were tested. 25 per cent of confirmed patients are asymptomatic, 35 per cent have mild symptoms, 5 per cent (17) need assisted ventilation, while 6 per cent require other intensive therapy, she listed.

Forty recovered patients have been released from hospital, meaning that also those who are in need of hospital treatment can recover, she said, adding that, naturally, those who require assisted ventilation have poorer chances of recovery.

Ms. Müller drew attention to the fact that those who are healthy and go to work daily should observe a social distance of one and a half metres also at their work places and during travel to work, should frequently wash their hands and air the rooms they work in.

Those who live in the same household with elderly persons or persons suffering from chronic diseases should pay special attention to these rules, she said. She advised them upon returning home to disinfect their hands already in the hall, to immediately change clothes, and to then wash their hands again or take a shower. They should also separate their clothing and personal possessions, and should wash their clothes separately, unless they use a 90-degree Celsius programme. They should regularly disinfect various surfaces with antiviral disinfectants, and should clean their homes frequently and systematically.

In answer to a question, Ms. Müller said hospitalised persons have the right to communicate with relatives; however, the heavily overloaded hospital personnel are unable to be at relatives’ disposal at all times. She suggested to institutions that they should designate a time slot during which relatives can make enquiries.

Patients are allowed to receive parcels, but these cannot be handed over in person, she added.

She also said institutions ensure communication with patients in a critical condition or in the final stage, subject to compliance with the relevant regulations.

Responding to another question, she pointed out that upon the publication of details of the deceased, they proceeded in accordance with the rules of data management. Based on the information released, individuals cannot be identified, but their goal was to provide reliable information about the age and underlying illnesses of deceased patients.

She mentioned that from among those who had just returned from a Tyrol skiing resort, only those were not required to retire to quarantine for two weeks who had received certificates from the Austrian authorities, verifying that they had spent two weeks in compulsory quarantine in Austria and during that time they had displayed no symptoms.

In response to press reports that the BCG vaccine used for tuberculosis could be effective in the treatment of illnesses caused by the coronavirus, she said at present the research which could verify this is in the experimental stage. She added that if the positive effect of the BCG vaccine is confirmed, the Hungarian population is in a favourable situation as since 1953 everyone has been given this vaccine in infancy on a mandatory basis.

In answer to a question concerning hospital capacities, Ms. Müller stressed that they were increasing the number of institutions for the reception of potential patients and were continuously involving hospitals in the programme week after week according to a precisely laid-down plan. “We have a number of reserve capacities […], we sincerely hope that we will not need them, but we are also preparing for a worst-case scenario,” the Chief Medical Officer said.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)