The number of active infections is decreasing day after day; however, the virus is still “with us,” the Chief Medical Officer underlined at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic.
Cecília Müller said while the country is in the downward phase of the epidemic, every day they are still finding around ten positive cases when tracing contacts. Therefore, the authorities must remain alert, while members of the public are required to observe rules of hygiene.
On Wednesday, the number of coronavirus patients increased by 12 and another two persons died in connection with the epidemic. Since the beginning of the epidemic, 4,039 confirmed infections have been registered, 2,391 persons have recovered and 533 persons have died. There are 1,095 active infections at present and 321 persons are being treated in hospital, including 19 requiring assisted ventilation. Forty-one infections and five fatalities fall on one hundred thousand inhabitants; these figures have not changed in the past few days, she stated.
Ms. Müller highlighted that laboratory tests are being carried out with the same capacity as earlier, except there has been a fall in the number of positive samples. She indicated that so far 222,247 tests had been carried out, and this work was ongoing as “we must trace the path of the virus and any accumulations, and must maintain a state of disease control alertness”.
The Chief Medical Officer mentioned the Central Statistical Office’s latest analysis, concluding that during the period between January and April, there were no excess deaths in Hungary which is, in her view, thanks to the restrictive measures adopted in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
According to the latest data, during this period 45,015 persons died which is 6.4 per cent less than during last year’s corresponding period. According to estimates, the restrictive measures and professional guidance of the authorities, in combination with the cooperation of members of the public, may have saved as many as 3 million lives in Europe, she added.
In answer to a question, Ms. Müller said that while the number of active infections is on the decrease, the epidemic is not over yet because even two connected cases can be considered an epidemic. Regarding the reopening of libraries, the expert observed that operators must provide for “the usual cleaning”.
Toilets and furnishings must be disinfected; however, there is no need to disinfect books. At the same time, dusting is recommended because any pathogen can settle in dust, she said.
The Chief Medical Officer also pointed out that only healthy persons should visit clubs for the elderly, and they, too, must observe the rules relating to hygiene and social distancing.
Ms. Müller drew the attention of the operators of food, drinks and ticket vending machines to the importance of the disinfecting of machines, and advised users to avoid direct contact between their hands and vending machines by wearing gloves or using tissues and to disinfect their hands after use.