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Coronavirus Update: The epidemic is on the rise in Hungary

During today’s Operational Group press conference, Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller announced that the epidemic is on the rise in Hungary. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hungary now stands at 1,916.

Cecília Müller said the number of those infected who need to be hospitalized for treatment is usually around 40 to 50 percent worldwide, and the same is true for Hungary. People with mild symptoms still recover at home.

She pointed out that 46,353 laboratory tests have been performed, 784 people are currently in a hospital and 61 people are on a ventilator. The number of patients who have recovered from the virus has also increased and now stands at 250. 

The chief medical officer emphasized that the coronavirus is the most dangerous for the elderly and drew attention to the fact that the elderly should only leave their homes when necessary.

She further noted that the phase of large-scale disease does not just indicate a high number of infected people but that the infection can be present anywhere. In terms of national distribution, Budapest and Pest County are still the most affected, said Müller.

Colonel Tibor Lakatos, head of the Operational Group, further announced that more people have been breaking the movement restrictions over the weekend, and authorities had to take twice as many actions yesterday as on an average weekday. He also reported that there is a 30-minute wait at the Hegyeshalom border crossing for incoming passengers and that the number of Hungarians returning from abroad is decreasing. 

Presently, there are 11,959 people in official home quarantine, and authorities continue to monitor these people. 

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