Speaking at today’s Operational Group press conference, Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller revealed that, in line with the government’s decision, 50 percent of all hospital beds have been successfully freed up ready for the peak. “Patients only seldom had to be sent home as only an average of 65-70 percent of hospital beds were previously occupied,” Müller said, adding that no one with potential health risks would be sent home.
“1.3 million surgical masks and 365,000 plastic gloves are currently being distributed among elderly homes and social care institutions,” the chief medical officer said. She stressed that it is still crucial to avoid any kind of physical contact that could result in transferring the disease. Speaking to people with chronic diseases, Müller said that they need to “pay special attention” to taking care of their underlying conditions in order to avoid “acute situations”.
Meanwhile, State Secretary at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Tamás Schanda said that the felvi.hu educational platform will be launched in the coming days, so those applying to higher education can submit their documents online. “Even in these extraordinary circumstances we strive for equipping young people with competitive knowledge,” Schanda said, adding that this new generation of students will also contribute to getting the economy back on its feet once the epidemic is over.
Finally, Colonel lieutenant Róbert Kiss said that over the last 24 hours 702 compulsory home quarantines have been instituted, altogether there are 11,049 now in effect. He added that sanctions had to be employed in 28,610 cases due to movement restriction violations. “Criminal proceedings have been launched in 265 cases altogether,” he said in closing.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80-277-455 and +36-80-277-456 or by email koronavirus@bm.gov.hu