Coronavirus in Hungary: Huge drop in the number of deaths and infections

Fully 64 Covid patients, generally elderly and suffering from an underlying illness, died over the past 24 hours, while 1,257 new infections were officially registered, bringing the total number of infected to 359,574, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Sunday.

The death toll has risen to 11,968, while 241,472 people have made a recovery.

The number of active infections stands at 106,134, while there are 3,793 hospitalised Covid patients, 254 on a ventilator.

Altogether 18,929 people are in official home quarantine, and the number of tests carried out has risen to 3,052,068.

Hungary started rolling out the coronavirus vaccine in December. So far, 145,257 people have been inoculated, and 8,135 have also received their second jab.

Most infections have been registered in Budapest (66,917) and Pest County (44,693) so far, followed by the counties of Hajdu-Bihar (20,344), Gyor-Moson-Sopron (20,218) and Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen (20,091). The county least affected by the infection is Tolna (7,747).

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Restrictions to stay in place until February 1

The government will keep coronavirus-related restrictions in place until February 1, and secondary schools will continue digital education, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said.

A decree made commercial P+Rs, parking garages and parking lots in residential areas free of charge from 7:00 in the evening until 7:00 in the morning. Soldiers are helping the police in carrying out their duties in public areas. Soldiers have also been assigned to help out staff in 93 hospitals around Hungary.

The curfew is in force between 8pm and 5am, and work carried out beyond the home must be justified.

With the exception of pharmacies and petrol stations, shops can be open until 7pm. Hairdressers, masseurs and personal trainers must observe general curfew rules. Family and private events including birthday celebrations can be held with a maximum of ten people attending, children do not count in the headcount.

A major new rule is that face masks must be worn in public spaces in localities with more than 10,000 residents, though it is up to local mayors to decide which spaces the rule applies to. Restaurants are limited to offering takeaways, while hotels are not allowed to cater to tourists, only guests arriving for business, economic or educational purposes. Sports events must be held behind closed doors.

Also, leisure facilities such as fitness gyms, indoor swimming pools, museums, libraries, cinemas, zoos and skating rinks must suspend their services. Events, including cultural events, cannot be held under the special rules.

Source: MTI