Chief medical officer: Restrictions could be gradually eased in Hungary

Covid-19 patients are being treated in 25 hospitals across the country, the chief medical officer said on Wednesday.

Most of the paients are being treated in Budapest, Cecília Müller noted in an online press conference.

The number of cases has now reached 2,727.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic 300 patients have died and 536 have recovered from the infection,

she said, adding that 278 of the victims had been over 61 years, and only two patients had died who were younger than 40.

Muller said that the military has so far disinfected 300 elderly care homes nationwide. An outbreak of Covid-19 has been reported from 27 homes, where 628 seniors and 87 staff members contracted the virus, she said, adding that 317 senior patients have been hospitalised and 66 have died. She also said that 360 seniors in Budapest homes have tested positive, 49 of whom have died.

Muller said virus transmission appeared to be levelling off, and restrictions could be gradually eased.

She said the daily number of new cases had not increased for nearly a week.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the central board coordinating efforts against the epidemic said that the government, at its meeting on Wednesday, would discuss changes to curfew rules to be brought in from May 3 on. Róbert Kiss said that the epidemic is “in its second phase when restrictions can be eased gradually, according to a strict schedule”.

Currently over 10,000 people are in home quarantine,

Kiss said, adding that quarantine regulations have been violated on 1,325 occasions since March 12.