Coronavirus in Hungary – DK sues government for info on number of people tested

The opposition Democratic Coalition is filing a lawsuit with the aim of forcing the government to reveal how many people have been tested for novel coronavirus in Hungary.

DK’s director László Sebian-Petrovszki told an online press conference that despite an official website announcing the number of samples taken each day, it is suspected that the actual number of tests carried out is only a fraction of the number of samples taken.

If it is true that every testing is repeated 3-4 times, then the officially announced figure of some 60,000 samples taken only translates to 15-20,000 people, he said.

This would mean that there is “virtually no screening”, and the government has no idea about the real number of people infected, he added.

“If the government wants to restart the economy, this is not a matter of indifference” he said.

Sebian-Petrovszki said DK at first submitted a request for data in the public interest to the national public health centre, but Chief Public Health Officer Cecília Müller had “cynically” advised the part to consult the official website, which does not include the information requested.

So the party has decided to sue to government and wants to force the operative board in charge of coordinating the response to the epidemic to release how many people were tested, he noted.

• Coronavirus – Hungary reports 2583 cases of COVID-19, with 280 deaths

Coronavirus – DK to hand out 20,000 masks in Budapest

Politicians and activists of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) party will distribute 20,000 face masks in Budapest, Erzsébet Gy Németh, a party lawmaker serving as deputy mayor of the capital city, said on Monday.

The municipality has made the use of face masks compulsory for passengers using public transport, as well as in shops, banks and pharmacies compulsory as of Monday.

Wearing a mask is crucial for residents in protecting one another against coronavirus infection, the deputy mayor said.

Despite experts voicing caution, the government has still not ensured a supply of masks to citizens, she said.

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Source: mti