Dark day: number of new infections and deaths reaches 2021 peak in Hungary

Fully 152 patients, generally elderly with an underlying condition, have died over the past 24 hours, and 6,278 new coronavirus infections have been registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

The number of infections has risen to 446,178, while the death toll has increased to 15,476. The number of recoveries stands at 328,136.

There are 102,566 active infections, while hospitals are caring for 6,554 Covid patients, 639 of whom are on ventilators.

Fully 41,440 people are in official home quarantine, while the number of tests carried out has increased to 3,749,907.

Altogether 785,440 people have been vaccinated so far, with 267,153 having received a second shot.

The cabinet held a meeting in the morning. Decisions will be announced at a government press briefing scheduled for 11am, the portal said.

• Hungary allows unrestricted entry from more countries than announced before

Restrictions to stay in place until March 15

The government will keep coronavirus-related restrictions in place until March 15, 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