Coronavirus in Hungary – Number of new infections rise in record pace

Fully 120 Covid patients, generally elderly and suffering from an underlying illness, died over the past 24 hours, while 4,385 new infections were officially registered, bringing the total number of infected to 414,514, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

The death toll has risen to 14,672, while 315,781 people have made a recovery. The number of active infections stands at 84,061, while there are 4,836 hospitalised Covid patients, 411 on a ventilator.

Altogether 29,389 people are in official home quarantine, and the number of tests carried out has risen to 3,577,770.

Fully 508,073 people have been vaccinated so far, with 211,073 having received the second jab.

Also, parliament has prolonged the special powers granted to government during the pandemic by another three months.

Most infections have been registered in Budapest (77,583) and Pest County (52,779) so far, followed by the counties of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (23,541), Hajdú-Bihar (23,183) and Győr-Moson-Sopron (23,071). The county least affected by the infection is Tolna (9,278).

• Hungary-based company develops COVID passport for smartphones
• Third wave of the epidemic is gathering momentum: British variant spreading fast in Hungary

Restrictions to stay in place until March 1

The government will keep coronavirus-related restrictions in place until March 1, and secondary schools will continue digital education, read more HERE.

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.

All news about Coronavirus in Hungary

Source: MTI