Omicron: not detected in Hungary, detected in Hungarians!

MTI/EPA/Jakub Gavlak

So far no samples have indicated the presence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in Hungary, Zoltán Kis, a virologist of the National Public Health Centre told public television on Friday.

But reports from neighboring countries suggest that the new variant will

soon appear in Hungary,

too, he added.

According to index.hu, the South-African variant was detected in a 34-year-old Hungarian living in Germany. He was among the first cases in the country producing a positive test on December 1. Regarding the symptoms, he said that he was physically weak, coughed every second and had a high fever (39.9 Celsius degrees). He could not sleep and eat though

did not lose his smell and taste.

He received two Pfizers, but the level of antibodies was probably low by the time he got the omicron variant, he added.

Read also: COVID peaking + new flu variants to hit Hungary

Meanwhile, PM Viktor Orbán said in his morning interview that the vaccine is the only remedy.

The fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic is at its peak “or maybe a little beyond”

in Hungary, and taking the vaccine is the only way to flatten the curve, he cleared. In an interview with public radio, Orbán said the latest surveys showed a slight decrease in the number of new coronavirus infections, those needing hospital treatment, or ventilators. “There are always losses, but the situation is improving overall,” he said, noting the 166 victims of the disease in the past 24 hours.

“On Thursday, 51,666 people were vaccinated, 42,453 of whom got the third jab,” he said. That is especially important around Christmas, as