Covid-19 mortality rate amongst the highest in Hungary?
Hungary has an exceptionally high mortality rate compared even to the most highly infected countries. The number of cases, however, are decreasing, so both epidemiologists and the members of the government expect the number of deaths to drop soon too.
On Tuesday, the number of detected cases only grew by 1238 – this number has not been so low since October. Hence, members of the Hungarian Government such as Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as Cecília Müller, Chief Medical Officer say Hungary could have passed the peak of the second wave. The number of deaths per day, on the other hand, has been over 180 for four days, despite the decreasing infection rate – reports Napi.hu.
The difference between new cases and the mortality rate is not that surprising though, because there is a 10-14 average difference between the two. Two weeks ago, however, there was a drop in daily new cases; compared to 5-6 thousand, it was 2219-3221. But this is not included in the mortality rate yet.
Statistics show that the coronavirus is only more deadly in Hungary’s neighbour countries; Slovenia and Croatia – which countries are in fact in complete or nearly complete lockdown.
If we examine the data in proportion to the population, on 1 million people, it shows that Hungary’s mortality rate is even worse than in countries where the coronavirus situation is a lot more serious such as the US, Ukraine, or Romania – but it is unknown why.
Statistics also suggest that the mortality rate of hospital patients in Hungary is high as well – from 1.89 % it went up to 2.63 % by Sunday.
At the same time, we have to bear in mind that the decrease in the number of cases might not last. According to the Hungarian National Public Health Centre’s data of week 51., the concentration of the coronavirus’ genetic material is growing in wastewater in cities like Békéscsaba, Nyíregyháza, Szekszárd, and near Budapest; in Tököl, Biatorbágy, Szigetszentmiklós, Budakeszi, Százhalombatta).
Epidemiologists and the authorities agree that compliance with the epidemiological measures and hygienic regulations is of utmost importance.
Read alsoOver 300,000 register for vaccination in Hungary
Source: Napi.hu, Johns Hopkins University
I am not surprised. Hungarians ( especially men ) tend to follow a generally unhealthy diet: too much meat, too much sweets, not enough fruit and vegetables ( i.e. weak immunity system ) too much alcohol, too many smokers. Hungary has one of the highest obesity rates and one of the lowest life expectancy in the world. Why should it be different with Covid?
I agree entirely with the above comment. So many people, especially the elderly, are in such poor health generally that if they get covid, they don’t stand a chance.