Hungary ‘on cusp of third wave’

Epidemiological trends in Hungary have been deteriorating over the last several days, with 2,853 new Covid infections registered on Wednesday, Cecilia Muller told a press conference of the operative board responsible for handling the epidemic.

The number of Covid-19 patients treated in hospital has also been rising, with 4,021 people currently hospitalised, 332 of them on a ventilator, she said, noting that 104 people died on Wednesday. The number of active infections has also risen to 78,625, Muller added.

“We’re seeing worsening epidemiological data,” she said, underlining the importance of implementing the government’s vaccination plan.

Muller noted that Hungary has authorised the use of five Covid vaccines. Vaccinations are ongoing with the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Sputnik V jabs, while experts are still examining the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, she said.

Hungary is scheduled to take delivery of another 83,500 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday evening, the chief medical officer said, noting that this batch would be enough to inoculate 41,750 people. These vaccines will be delivered to general practitioners next week, she said.

Meanwhile, Muller said the government will again deploy mobile screening buses offering antigen rapid tests to those whose GP had ordered them to take a Covid test. Those who test positive will also tested using a PCR test on the spot, she added.

Hungary has most vaccines in EU per capita

Hungary has the most vaccines in the European Union per capita, Gergely Gulyas, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, said on Thursday. At an impromptu briefing, Gulyas noted that the fast-spreading British variant of coronavirus is present in Hungary and the number of cases is steadily rising once again. Only efficient vaccination will nip a third wave in the bud, he said.

“Hungary today has the best and the most vaccines in the EU relative to the population,” he said, urging the public to register to be inoculated.

Gulyas also urged people to take part in the government’s National Consultation survey to gauge people’s opinions on how and when to relax restrictions.

“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to express their views,” he said. “No matter how difficult the situation is the government can make a good decision with the support of the people behind it.”