The coronavirus epidemic is not over yet, we cannot yet breathe a sigh of relief, the Chief Medical Officer stressed at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.

Cecília Müller said Hungary has entered the second phase of the containment effort. The health care system is fully prepared for providing care for the infected whose number could increase, she added, observing that the elderly continue to remain at the centre of concern.

The new measures will provide more freedom of movement, the effect of which they will continuously monitor so that – should the need arise – they can change the strategy, she stated.

The Chief Medical Officer said 62 per cent of the infected, while 63 per cent of the deceased are from the capital and Pest County. She observed that it is primarily these disease control figures that constituted the basis of the measures now adopted by the government. She asked everyone to continue to observe the rules.

According to the Chief Medical Officer’s information, the training of health care workers and volunteers is ongoing also at present. In total, 23,000 persons have applied to take part in training, including more than 5,000 physicians, 14,500 nurses and medical students, and 1,900 volunteers. 18,000 of them have already passed their end-of-course examinations.

Ms. Müller said on the occasion of Mothers’ Day, with some inventiveness it is possible to make video recordings which will make elderly mothers happy. She observed that the unrestricted opening hours of flower shops would help those who wanted give their relatives material gifts. Additionally, there is no data that suggests that the infection can be spread via flowers, and on objects in general the virus can only stay alive for a short time. As a result, with some caution, members of the public are free to celebrate mothers.

In answer to a question, she said in Hungary they are not aware of persons who died of coronavirus infection in their homes. She also said the law does not prescribe specific rules for the burying of victims of the coronavirus infection; there is no compulsory cremation.

In answer to another question, she said after the inspection of larger elderly care homes and social institutions affected by the coronavirus infection, the authorities have also started the inspection of smaller homes, with fewer than 100 residents. The first partial results can be expected towards the end of next week.

She further mentioned that 13 per cent of the infected were health care workers. This is an average rate, similar to the percentages of other countries keeping infections at a low rate around the world.

She also said in answer to a question that due to the number of infected persons in the Tatabánya Hospital, they had ordered a ban on the admission of patients. The relevant disease control inspection has been duly conducted, and they are aware of the number of patients and infected health care workers.

She added that hospital workers are tested every 7th day.

(MTI)