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Operational Group: People who feel sick must stay at home

At today’s press conference of the Coronavirus Operational Group, Dr. Cecília Müller announced that there had been no additional deaths from the epidemic and people who feel sick “must stay at home.” Colonel Tibor Lakatos was also on hand and stated that Hungary’s borders are barrier-free.

“There are no further deaths from coronavirus in Hungary,” said Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller. She also noted that more and more people are showing up at the hospital thinking they are sick. “These people must stay at home and call their GP on the phone,” she emphasized, calling attention to current epidemic regulations. She added that “the GP will decide with an epidemiologist or infectious disease specialist whether it is in fact a suspected coronavirus infection, and, if so, the National Ambulance Service will take the patient to the hospital.”

In response to a press question, Müller said that “there are no regional focal points; however, there are of course more cases of the disease in densely populated areas.” Answering another question, Müller noted that “during the time of large-scale infections, restrictive measures may increase, but rules of hygiene will not change,” adding that “for recovered patients, the same rules and measures must be followed.”

Touching upon previous epidemiological measures taken, Colonel Tibor Lakatos, head of the Operational Group, reported that “there are ongoing checks in regard to compliance with the ordered measures, and the authorities are acting appropriately against those who violate the rules.” He further assured listeners that the traffic at Hungary’s borders is presently barrier-free to both personal (Hungarian citizens) and commercial vehicles, with possibly longer waits at Hegyeshalom and the Slovakian border.

Answering a question from the press, Colonel Lakatos said that the Operational Group’s military presence at the biggest companies serves the interest of citizens. “Defense Operational Groups were directed to help strategic companies that are playing a key role in providing care,” he said, adding that they “can then report any kind of disruption, and based on this, the Operational Group can act immediately.”

Regarding the mobile epidemic hospital in Kiskunhalas, he said that “the construction will be completed sometime next week” and that work is “ongoing.”

Photo credit: SZMO