At the Tuesday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, the Chief Medical Officer drew attention to the importance of keeping underlying chronic conditions present for years in check.
Cecília Müller stressed that neglected underlying conditions not kept in check significantly increase the risk of complications arising from the coronavirus disease.
The Chief Medical Officer asked those taking medicines regularly to consult with their general practitioners.
Ms. Müller said there are ever more infections, at present, 1,519 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospital, including 160 requiring assisted ventilation.
She said in the past 24 hours the number of coronavirus patients had increased by 1,025, and 28 patients had died; all of them suffered from underlying chronic diseases. Typical conditions include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and autoimmune diseases. She added that among underlying conditions, the range of metabolic conditions had increased; in addition to diabetes, gout is also among the conditions leading to complications. The deceased include cancer patients as well.
Ms. Müller said since the beginning of the epidemic, 39,862 persons have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection, at present, there are 27,113 active confirmed patients, while the number of PCR tests carried out so far currently stands at 841,220. 996 persons have died “in connection with the coronavirus,” their average age is 75 years; the youngest patient was 21, while the oldest was aged 103.
The Chief Medical Officer highlighted that in week 40, 322 patients fell on one hundred thousand persons, while in week 41, this number increased to 397. It is still true that in densely inhabited areas, including the capital and major cities, the percentage of infections is higher, but the difference is no longer as great between densely and less densely populated settlements; the virus can now be present anywhere, she indicated.
Regarding the infected, 21 per cent are in Budapest, 11 per cent in Pest County, 9 per cent in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, 7 per cent in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, and 5 per cent in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. “The least-affected counties are Békés, Komárom-Esztergom and Tolna,” she added.
She also mentioned that in Hungary the second wave is still in an ascending phase, the number of infections is increasing day after day. In this regard, the age group between 20 and 29 is still highly affected, but case numbers are also rising among those aged between 30 and 60. Infections among children remain low, though there has been a rise. “These trends show that the virus is widely present, in all age groups in society, and the rules must be observed in light of this,” she said.
She highlighted that the number of social institutions where the virus is present is increasing. At present, there are 52 such institutions, 641 positive cases have been registered among 6,630 residents, including 156 requiring hospitalisation and 37 fatalities.
The Chief Medical Officer further mentioned that the Operational Group had ordered extraordinary breaks in 28 nursery schools and 16 elementary schools, and 130 classes and 3 entire schools had switched over to digital education.
Ms. Müller said there is no way of knowing how severe the progression of the disease will be in any particular individual. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others complain about protracted malaise, fatigue and muscular weakness. In the interest of preserving health and fighting against the virus, it is important to take vitamins C and D during the winter period, to pay attention to nutrition, to regularly exercise and to drink plenty of water.
Regarding the upcoming autumn school break, she drew attention to the fact that parents should only take healthy children to their grandparents. The Chief Medical Officer recommended that everyone check their body temperatures on a regular basis, pay more attention in general and keep a greater physical distance than usual during family meetings.
Regarding the virulence of the coronavirus, she said at present there is no way of knowing whether the pathogen will become seasonal. She drew attention to the fact that it is an airborne virus that can be transmitted via both droplet infection and through physical contact, and so the autumn and winter months can prove to be dangerous unless we observe the rules.
Ms. Müller said the protective capacity of face masks can be significantly compromised if they become wet or are otherwise exposed to any physical impact.