The elderly constitute the group of society that is most at risk from the epidemic, the Minister of State for International Communication and Relations-head of the communications task force stated at the press conference of the Operational Group held on Sunday in Budapest.
Zoltán Kovács highlighted that international statistics reveal that the elderly are most at risk from the threat of the virus, in particular, if they are also struggling with other illnesses.
The Minister of State asked members of the public to observe the otherwise suggested containment and preventive rules with special care when coming into contact with elderly relatives and friends.
On behalf of the government, the Minister of State offered his condolences and deepest sympathy to relatives of the first Hungarian victim.
Mr Kovács pointed out that health care workers are fighting for human lives. He stressed that all means and financial resources necessary for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic are available; the government is providing all necessary resources.
He said “we ourselves, private individuals” can do the most against the spread of the coronavirus. He stressed that we are faced with a new type of virus, and the coronavirus requires a different approach on the part of private individuals as well.
Therefore, he asked every Hungarian to show the same sense of responsibility and determination in preventing the spread of the virus also in their own lives by following the guidance offered on the basis of the Operational Group’s recommendations, while helping the efforts of health care workers and law enforcement agencies.
Mr Kovács added that the rules and recommendations stated by the Operational Group and health care personnel seek to protect – as much as possible – from the spread of the virus not only the individuals that they directly apply to, but also their immediate family members, relatives, friends and the whole of Hungarian society.
The Minister of State stressed that the tasks related to the epidemic have not changed; also today, the goal is to prevent isolated cases from turning into group, and later mass incidences.
Regarding Interior Minister Sándor Pintér who met with an infected Moroccan politician in Budapest, he said in this situation the same rules apply to him as to anyone else; he, too, subjected himself to sample-taking.
So did his colleagues in the ministry who qualified as contact persons, he added.
The Moroccan guest conducted talks not only at the Ministry of Interior; similar disease control measures have been implemented at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry for Innovation and Technology, he said.
Until the test results are back, the individuals concerned will remain in isolation, he pointed out.
Tibor Lakatos, head of the Operational Group Duty Centre announced that a mobile container hospital was being built in Kiskunhalas.
He said construction of the facility – which could be used for curative-preventive purposes as well as for observation in the event of a decrease in the available patient care capacity – will start on Monday.
He also reported that a person subjected to compulsory home quarantine had been found in a restaurant during a police check. The attending police officers took the necessary action. He indicated that anyone who violates the rules of compulsory home quarantine commits a breach of law.
Mr Lakatos said among the new patients some had been to Italy or Austria, while one of them is a patient’s contact person.
In every instance, they conduct a contact search, and samples are taken within the widest possible range, he highlighted, adding that the majority of cases are linked to Budapest.
The new patients are in a satisfactory condition, he said.
He also highlighted that they are conducting health checks at border stations on an ongoing basis, observing that people are still arriving in large numbers from areas regarded as epicentres.
So far, 907 Hungarian nationals have been ordered into compulsory home quarantine, and 46,293 persons seeking entry into the country have been checked. The number of those taken to hospital immediately has now risen to two, the head of the duty centre added.
Mr Lakatos also pointed out that those ordered into compulsory home quarantine are registered in the police IT system, and so local police units are able to check on them. He said the National Bureau for Investigations apprehended the man who had envisaged the closure of Budapest in a post on the Internet; charges are being pressed against him.
Mr Lakatos confirmed that there was a coronavirus patient in the Jahn Ferenc Hospital who was diagnosed with the virus in the intensive care unit. He said all health care workers who come into contact with confirmed patients are quarantined, usually at their own place of work.
Mr Kovács said, commenting on the recommendations of the Hungarian Medical Chamber for a general closure of stores and home quarantine, that he regards “the Chamber’s messages relayed via the press as attempts made purely for political gain,” adding that there are channels through which recommendations of this kind can reach the Operational Group. He pointed out that the Operational Group had already looked into the recommendations suggested by the Chamber.
In Hungary there are 32 confirmed coronavirus patients, one person has died, another person has recovered from the disease, and 1,236 tests have been carried out in the accredited laboratory.