Hungarian virologist predicts when the fourth wave will hit Hungary – masks to return?

Miklós Rusvai, a well-known Hungarian virologist, said that while before, it had seemed like the spread of the virus would not accelerate until October, that prognosis has changed, and now, we need luck to avoid the outbreak of the fourth wave before October.

According to infostart.hu, Mr Rusvai added that the concentration of the coronavirus in the wastewater had increased in Kaposvár (Somogy County) and Tatabánya (Komárom-Esztergom County) last week. However, that is not yet the sign of the fourth wave. The virologist expects that the new wave will

hit Hungary in mid-September.

Last Monday and Tuesday, seven wastewater treatment plants measured the rising concentration of the virus’s hereditary material. Since then, the tendency does not seem to have continued. The virologist stated that as long as this fluctuation in the data remains, and it does not transform into a clear trend, we do not have to be worried.

Of course, Hungary can introduce some restrictions, but they are not necessary. He said that only those should wear a mask who did not accept the vaccine and are

in a group of people with increased health risk. 

He added that the start of the school year on September 1, people returning from their holiday spent abroad, and the autumn weather will all be the causes of the outbreak of the fourth wave.

Mr Rusvai expects

a slow rise in the data because of the Delta variant sweeping across the globe.

He also said that the situation is not as ideal as last summer when there were no deaths because of COVID for days in Hungary. Furthermore, the number of those being treated at the hospitals or on ventilators was much lower.

He believes that an acceleration in the data will only happen in mid-September.

“With a bit of luck, we can extend that with a couple of weeks,” he highlighted. In 2020, the second wave started at the beginning of October. The cause of the earlier date is unquestionably the Delta variant. Mr Rusvai also said that those should be inoculated in the third round who do not have immunity despite the two doses they got before.

According to index.hu, Mr Rusvai said before in an interview that

the obligatory wearing of face masks might return in Hungary.

He added that in many countries, new rules had to be implemented because of the Delta variant. For example, Israel prepares for new restrictions from September despite the high rate of inoculated citizens, portfolio.hu reported.

He believes that in Hungary, the wearing of face masks will become a must again in malls, on public transport, and at indoor events. Furthermore, the government might make immunity cards obligatory for those taking part in sports or indoor events.

Source: infostart.hu, index.hu, portfolio.hu