Official: No confirmed coronavirus cases in Hungary

So far there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in Hungary, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office said on Thursday.

Seven new samples were tested during the night but none of them came back as positive for the COVID-19 virus, Gergely Gulyás told a regular press briefing.

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He said there were some 1.2 million face masks available which will be shipped to pharmacies across the country, adding that 25,000 face masks were being produced each day.

Though there is no shortage of the masks, they may still be sold out in some places because of the recent spike in their purchases, Gulyás said.

The operative board set up to coordinate preventive measures concerning the virus will make sure that pharmacies receive their supply of masks as quickly as possible.

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He said there are currently 18 people in quarantine in Budapest’s St. László Hospital, all of whom are symptom-free. Barring any changes in their condition, they will be discharged in two weeks’ time, Gulyás added. He said that if necessary, more hospitals will start receiving patients suspected of having contracted the virus.

The operative board tasked with coordinating preventive measures is constantly monitoring the situation, he said, adding that Interior Minister Sándor Pintér will meet representatives of the six parliamentary parties today. The National Public Health Centre (NNK) is also keeping an eye on the situation, and the foreign ministry’s consular service is prepared to provide information and assistance to anyone in need, Gulyás added.

He said the consular service is in contact with the Hungarian crew member of the Diamond Princess cruise ship who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, adding that the patient’s second test result has not yet come back.

Concerning the Hungarian citizens in China, he said 174 people in the country have registered for consular protection, 20 of whom are in the five most infected provinces. As for Italy, Gulyás said determining the number of Hungarians there was almost impossible, but they, too, have been asked to register.

Source: MTI