Hungary the least prepared for the Omicron variant?
Hungary does not take sufficient measures to balk the spread of the virus – the Oxford University says. That means the Omicron variant will spread unstoppably in the country. Thus, the fifth wave can be greater than the fourth caused by the Delta was.
The fourth wave that started in September-October has been peaking in Hungary for weeks – portfolio.hu says. Thankfully, the death curve is on the downslope. However, West Europe prepares now for the Omicron variant. For example, the Dutch government announced today that they would close the country for two weeks. Amsterdam did so despite the high rate of inoculated people in the country.
Physicist Gábor Vattay wrote that the Omicron might cause a severe epidemic in a couple of weeks.
Mr Vattay calculated using the virus spreading trends in Denmark.
- Read also: Israel bans travel to Hungary
Portfolio.hu argues that a lot would depend on what measures a country will introduce to stop the spread of the virus. Oxford University calculated a so-called stringency index to help comparison. According to them, “the index records the strictness of ‘lockdown style’ policies that primarily restrict people’s behaviour. It is calculated using all ordinal containment and closure policy indicators, plus an indicator recording public information campaigns.”
The last time the Hungarian stringency index increased was at the end of November when the government reintroduced obligatory mask-wearing in public transport and closed spaces. Since then,
Hungary’s index has been at 25 pc.
However, this is the second-lowest in Europe, only Sweden “precedes” Hungary. Globally, only some African countries have fewer or less strict measures.
Portfolio.hu says that the government built their strategy on the vaccine. Therefore, they did not introduce strict measures. This is supported by the fact that Hungary leads the proportional cumulative deaths list in the EU. The number of deaths grew significantly even during the fourth wave.
Based on estimates, the variant will be responsible for the deaths of around 10 thousand citizens.
If that is true, the government believes that the third jab will help evade severe symptoms. As a result, the healthcare system will not collapse because of the new variant.
Read alsoCould schools close due to mandatory vaccination for teachers?
Source: portfolio.hu, bsg.ox.ac.uk
Hungary recorded 15 Omicron cases in a laboratory on 20 December. There will be more than this now, it’s highly contagious and in neighbouring countries. The virus doesn’t know borders. Israel obviously knows more as why would they ban flights to/from Hungary based on only 15 cases. The government should be telling people to be more careful, it’s not solely about getting the vaccine as it’s a slightly different strain of the virus. Even those who’ve had the vaccine can still become infected, just not as severely and with different symptoms. Should be limiting numbers at Christmas gatherings. What’s the real number of Omicron cases here I wonder.
Hungary – world highest covid death rate and it’s about to get really bad.
No nothing government doesn’t want to face reality because it might spoil Christmas and lose some votes. Of course with 38.000 loyal FIDEZ cadre in the ground… Or will they be allowed to vote from the beyond? Since people are allowed to vote from anywhere?
Thank GOD/ISTEN that hospital recordings dropped by 80% with omicron.
Omicron MIGHT be more contagious but it is far less lethal so no use for fearmongering.
As a virologist, truth must be spread correctly
Jim Jones & Truth Please – totally Correct in your Comments.
The Hungarian Government/Fidesz – are BLATANTLY – playing Politics First and Citizens/Citizens Second.
The ruluctance – to place themselves in a position – that acknowledges – ADDITIONAL measures – NEED – to be introduced, in Hungary, that from – Medical Statistical Data – PROVES beyond REASONABLE Doubt – that Hungary, remains Dangerously Exposed, to this Omicron Strain.
Prime Minister – Victor Orban – “locked” himself in to a postion in the past (3) three months stating that Hungary – we will not have any further lock downs.
Omicron arrived.
We saw the aggessive attack it made in the United Kingdom that continues to – Wreap Havoc – to Britain.
Daily cases of this Omicron Strain averageing 90.000 new cases a day – DEVASTATING – and probable will bring a Government – Rightfully – DOWN.
Hungary – the “Zenith” of this Omicron Strain, is distanced, from what we will witness as its invasional journey.
Hungary – must place Humanity over Economics & Politics.
Hungary – we know all the prime indicators used to evaluate the performance – Economic & Financial – of a Country – all these indicators – are trending in direction, that CONFIRMS – that we are in a Financial & Economic – MESS.
Deaths to date – 38,167 – Active Cases – 135,217 – that JimJones confirms in his comment – FACTUALLY – that we Hungary – have the Highest Death Rate of Citizens per population ratio – in the World.
Politics – Ignoring Scientific Medical Statistical Data & Advice – that is SUPPORTED by data “broadsheet” – that Highlights – that we Hungary – have & are FAILING – taking corrective Humanitarian Driven Focused Steps – to limit, – the on-going attack on us, through the “pressence” of this Omicron Strain.
Propaganda – its USE – by Government – the avoidance to discuss and tackle – the “need” of getting in there and amongst – key FACTORS – that are causing – reaping CHAOS – in our lives, being OVERSHADOWED – Overlooked – by Politics – through the up-coming National Elections April/May 2022.
Are the present Government of Hungary – there IMAGE – are they Gaining Votes of Popularity – for the present way – they are Handling this Omicron Strain ???
History – over time – will be the Judge, but when it is the Factual case, that a Government is placing – Economy over Human Beings – thats a Humanitarian Recipe – for a Catacylsmic Disaster.
Daily Covid cases in South Africa have fallen again by 22 per cent compared to last week’s figures, fuelling hopes that the country’s Omicron wave is over.
South Africa, whose scientists detected the variant, recorded 21,099 new cases in the last 24 hours, down by nearly a quarter on the 26,976 infections confirmed last Wednesday……..Try to keep up.
Dear Oi, we always work with the latest data that is available to us. Nevertheless, thank you for your feedback. Happy Holidays! 🙂