Coronavirus vaccine in Hungary

Hungary sending 156,000 vaccines to Vietnam

covid vaccine

Hungary is donating 156,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine to Vietnam, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook on Thursday.

Hungary is grateful for the medical equipment it received from Vietnam during the first wave of the pandemic, Szijjártó said. In the spirit of partnership, Hungary freed up and sold 400,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Vietnam before donating another 100,000 doses to the country, the minister noted.

Counting the new shipment, Hungary has sent Vietnam enough Covid jabs to inoculate 656,000 people, he said. In total, Hungary has so far donated close to 5 million vaccine doses to 18 countries, Szijjártó said.

Refugees from Ukraine
Read alsoShould we fear a new wave of epidemics due to the Russian-Ukrainian war?

Should we fear a new wave of epidemics due to the Russian-Ukrainian war?

Refugees from Ukraine

So far, only 69 out of 5,000 tests carried out up to mid-March came back positive. This low proportion is quite promising, but should we fear a new wave of epidemics? Here is what the experts say.

According to a volunteer doctor in Beregsurány, COVID-19 is not common among refugees, but colds and stomach problems are more frequent. Basically, all those refugees who arrive with upper respiratory complaints such as sore throat, fever, or cough symptoms are tested for coronavirus – rtl reported. The majority of them are tested negative which is quite promising.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources,

so far 69 out of 5,000 tests carried out up to 9th March came back positive which is less than 1.5%.

However, experts say caution is important, as the Ukrainian health system is less developed than in Hungary. Another important aspect is that there are fewer compulsory vaccinations for children in Ukraine. Thus, many diseases can easily spread to neighboring countries.

The question of a new pandemic wave is divisive among the experts.

According to the Hungarian virologist, Miklós Rusvai there is no realistic chance that a new wave will break out due to the refugee situation. The weather is warming up and they do not pose a greater threat than tourists, he added.

In contrast, pediatrician György Póta, who volunteers at a refugee reception point, said that the low vaccination rate in Ukraine can be a critical point. Therefore, the expert does not completely rule out the possibility of another epidemic wave. He also added that they can give vaccinations against COVID-19, flu and measles to refugee children. These are important initiatives because a fever of 40 degrees that lasts several days can be extremely dangerous for weakened bodies – reported by 24.hu.

Read also: Hungarian ppl gathered €1.8 million for Ukrainian refugees through aid line

In addition to maintaining our physical health, we should also look after our mental health. Soon after the pandemic is over, we have to face a new critical situation around us: the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. But how can we mentally survive all these shocking events? This question is examined in the freshly published book of Hungarian psychotherapists Katalin Zana and Tihamér Bakó – Portfolio reported. The experts reveal how to deal with traumatic events and how to strengthen ourselves. An important point is to understand how certain feelings – fears, anxieties – can be linked to what is happening in the present or even past experiences. We can talk about this with family members and friends. It can often be reassuring to see that others are feeling or thinking about the situation in a similar way. According to the experts, we need to find ways and means within ourselves to shield ourselves against the consequences of the crisis.

Refugees from Ukraine
Read alsoShould we fear a new wave of epidemics due to the Russian-Ukrainian war?

Fewer than 5,000 new infections over the long weekend

Hungary coronavirus

Altogether 178 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past five days, while 4,902 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.

So far 6,399,413 people have received a first jab, while 6,180,406 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,829,875 Hungarians have received a booster third shot and 236,168 a fourth shot.

The number of active infections has gone down to 110,526, while hospitals are treating 2,259 Covid-19 patients, 101 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,819,264 have been registered with the virus, while 44,831 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,663,907 people have made a recovery.

Hévíz Spa Thermal Bath Fürdő Gyógyvíz
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Nr of deaths, new infections continue to decrease

Hospital medical examination

Altogether 50 patients died of a Covid-related illness in the past 24 hours, while 2,068 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday.

So far 6,398,615 people have received a first jab, while 6,178,638 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,826,840 Hungarians have received a booster third shot and 232,691 a fourth shot.

The number of active infections has declined to 119,066, while hospitals are treating 2,338 Covid-19 patients, 109 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,814,362 have been registered with the virus, while 44,653 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,650,643 people have made a recovery.

Read alsoFinally, Hungarian baths can be visited without an immunity certificate!

Here are the latest COVID data from Hungary

Coronavirus hospital nurse doctor

Altogether 54 patients died of a Covid-related illness in the past 24 hours, while 2,377 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

So far 6,398,091 people have received a first jab, while 6,177,402 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,824,405 Hungarians have received a booster third shot and 229,151 a fourth shot.

The number of active infections has declined to 121,654, while hospitals are treating 2,499 Covid-19 patients, 117 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,812,294 have been registered with the virus, while 44,603 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,646,037 people have made a recovery.

hospital coronavirus
Read alsoGreat day: Hungary abolishes almost all COVID-19 restrictions from today!

Here are the latest COVID numbers after the first mask-free day in Hungary

Refugees from Ukraine in the Western Railway station
Altogether 54 patients died of a Covid-related illness in the past 24 hours, while 2,632 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
 
So far 6,397,806 people have received a first jab, while 6,176,649 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,823,111 Hungarians have received a booster shot.
 
The number of active infections has declined to 124,112, while
 
hospitals are treating 2,617 Covid-19 patients, 118 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.
 
Since the first outbreak, 1,809,917 have been registered with the virus, while 44,549 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,641,256 people have made a recovery.
 
Hungary abolished almost all of the COVID restrictions including the obligation of mask-wearing in closed spaces yesterday.
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Read alsoNo mask in Hungary, the border is fully open again – latest COVID-19 numbers

Finally, Hungarian baths can be visited without an immunity certificate!

The culture of Budapest’s Spas is world-famous, millions of people visit these spas every year. Before Covid, in 2019 there were a total of 5 million visitors in the various spas of Budapest, and since then however that number has fallen, there are still millions of visitors a year. Of course, these visitors include Hungarian tourists, families looking to relax, and elderly people seeking treatment.

But at the same time, you can find people from all over the world as well. However, since the beginning of the Covid virus, the Budapest Spas have been closed and reopened, again and again, fortunately, they have been constantly open since the spring of 2021, and no change is expected now. From the spring of 2021, when the European vaccination program was launched, it was only possible to visit the Budapest baths by presenting an immunity certificate.

Change is coming from now on

However, from March 1, 2022, the spas in Budapest can be visited even without a protection certificate, says travelo.hu with a reference to the spas’ website.

It is important to mention, that the Gellért Spa is still open to the public, even though the Hotel has been closed for some time due to a refurbishment.

The spas of the Budapest Spa open their doors to those who do not have a security certificate. The following spas are now open to the public:

  • Gellért Spa
  • Széchenyi Spa
  • Dandár Spa
  • Rudas Spa
  • Paskál Spa
  • Pesterzsébet Spa
  • Lukács Spa
  • Palatinus Spa
  • Árpád Csillaghegyi Spa

However, Aquaworld and Csepel Bath are not managed by this company, so a valid certificate of protection is still required for these baths. Among the larger baths in Budapest, the Dagály Bath is also not operated by the same company, but no protection certificate has been requested here yet.

Most of the Covid rules will be abolished

Incidentally, most of Covid’s regulations will be repealed from Monday 7 next week, virtually no restrictions or regulations will be in place from now on, virtually no mask will be worn anywhere outside of hospitals, and all events will be open without an immunity certificate, and no other Covid rule remains in effect.

coronavirus_mask_hungary_street_budapest
Read alsoBreaking: Hungary to abolish almost all restrictions from next Monday!

Here are the latest COVID data from Hungary

Hospital corridor in Hungary

Altogether 75 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 3,064 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday.

So far 6,396,404 people have received a first jab, while 6,173,237 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,816,971 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections went down to 137,186, while hospitals are treating 2,961 Covid-19 patients, 127 of whom are intubated on a ventilator. Since the first outbreak, 1,800,046 have been registered with the virus, while 44,286 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,618,574 people have made a recovery.

coronavirus_mask_hungary_street_budapest
Read alsoBreaking: Hungary to abolish almost all restrictions from next Monday!

United opposition wants to rescind special legal order in Hungary

Hungary opposition

The united opposition on Thursday issued a statement saying that a week ago it had proposed lifting Covid-related restrictions, and that the Orbán government had been forced to relent, as restrictive measures were partially lifted yesterday.

The statement added that the government was sticking to a number of “unnecessarily restrictive” measures. The united opposition called on the government to rescind its special legal order under which “unnecessary measures” such as the strike ban operated.

Its statement insisted that if it were up to the government, “then compulsory vaccinations would be introduced”, but instead they had buckled under political pressure. They also insisted that the opposition had notched up “similar successes” in changing the mind of the government over its “pro-Russian foreign policy”, adding that

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had been forced to “lose his face every day”.

The opposition demanded that Orbán abandon his “see-saw policy” and unequivocally take the side of the West “where the Hungarian people want to belong”.

Péter Márki-Zay
Read also Opposition PM candidate Márki-Zay pledges support to Zelensky

COVID situation in Hungary: fewer than 4,000 new infections

Hungary coronavirus

Altogether 77 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 3,862 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

So far 6,395,509 people have received a first jab, while 6,171,552 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,813,406 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections went down to 142,456, while hospitals are treating 3,120 Covid-19 patients, 126 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,796,982 have been registered with the virus, while 44,211 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,610,315 people have made a recovery.

Justice Court Igazság Bíróság Legal Rights
Read alsoTop court rejects motions against mandatory vaccination of employees

Will the government vaccinate you, if you come as a refugee?

Vaccination

The Hungarian government has set up a humanitarian council tasked with coordinating the aid operation of government agencies and charities to help refugees from Ukraine, the government’s spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

The body is headed by Gergely Gulyás, the prime minister’s chief of staff, and comprises representatives of public and higher education, the social sector and healthcare, child protection, regional administration, labour, transport, the policy for Hungarians beyond the borders and the Hungary Helps humanitarian aid programme, Alexandra Szentkirályi told a press conference in Budapest.

Miklós Soltész, the state secretary for church and state relations, said he had met the head of UNHCR’s Regional Representation on Tuesday who thanked him for Hungary’s contribution. Another meeting is planned for Sunday, he said.

Meanwhile, Hungary’s government is providing health and hospital care to refugees fleeing Ukraine who need it, the human resources ministry said on Wednesday. Hospital workers of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, in north-eastern Hungary, have set up registration points at the border crossings, providing medical care to refugees and testing them for Covid, the ministry said in a statement.

If a refugee is not vaccinated against Covid, they are offered the jab,

the ministry said. Those with chronic illnesses are ensured access to their life-saving medicines. The health points are operating around the clock, the ministry said.

Refugees in Beregsurány
Read alsoHungarian-Ukrainian border: more and more people are coming

197 deaths, 8,370 new infections over weekend

Coronavirus in Hungary

Altogether 197 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the weekend, while 8,370 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Monday.

So far 6,394,379 people have received a first jab, while 6,168,926 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,809,703 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections stands at 154,752, while hospitals are treating 3,615 Covid-19 patients, 132 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,787,544 have been registered with the virus, while 43,949 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,588,843 people have made a recovery.

Hungary face mask Budapest
Read also All restrictions to be abolished soon?

Fewer than 4,000 patients treated in the hospitals

Coronavirus Hungary

Altogether 88 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 4,498 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday.

So far 6,391,940 people have received a first jab, while 6,163,700 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,801,276 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections stands at 168,913, while hospitals are treating 3,997 Covid-19 patients, 148 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,779,174 have been registered with the virus, while 43,752 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,566,509 people have made a recovery.

Hungary face mask Budapest
Read also All restrictions to be abolished soon?

Nr of active infections stands at 173,798

Coronavirus hospital nurse doctor

Altogether 102 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 5,512 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

So far 6,390,568 people have received a first jab, while 6,161,000 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,796,660 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections stands at 173,798, while

hospitals are treating 4,199 Covid-19 patients, 165 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,774,676 have been registered with the virus, while 43,664 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,557,214 people have made a recovery.

semmelweis hospital
Read alsoHungary surpasses 43,500 pandemic deaths

Top court rejects motions against mandatory vaccination of employees

Justice Court Igazság Bíróság Legal Rights

The Constitutional Court has rejected claims that a government decree enabling employers to oblige their employees to get vaccinated against coronavirus is unconstitutional and should be scrapped, under a ruling posted on its website on Friday.

Under the decree, an employer has the authority to order their employees to take up a Covid shot within a set period of time and force those who refuse to get vaccinated to take out unpaid leave.

Under the decree, the employer also has the authority to terminate the employment of those who refuse to get vaccinated over a period of twelve months.

In their motion, the twenty petitioners argued that the legislation disproportionately restricts fundamental constitutional rights and violates the right to psychical and mental integrity.

They also argued that the decree discriminated against those unvaccinated employees whose employer “establishes the need of vaccination”. The decree, the petitioners said, also violates an employee’s right to self-determination and dignity.

In its ruling, the top court rejected the claims establishing that under the Labour Code an employee can appeal against a decision of their employer in a labour court and then turn to the Constitutional Court.

It said that the petitioners did not exhaust that first option, but directly challenged the legislation concerned in a constitutional complaint which the top court rejected because it failed to meet the legal conditions of admissibility.

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Hungary to abolish all restrictions soon? + latest COVID data

Crowd Budapest Hungary

As we reported yesterday, Miklós Rusvai, a well-known Hungarian virologist, said that the epidemic could soon be over in Hungary. The expert added that Hungary passed the peak of daily new infections about two weeks ago, so the number of people hospitalised is now at its peak, and this is expected to slowly decrease.

According to Miklós Rusvai, considering the decreasing number of deaths and active infections which are well below the expected figures, Hungary is getting closer and closer to the end of the pandemic. As the Hungarian news portal ATV reported, the Hungarian virologist also said that

no further vaccination and restrictions are needed in the current epidemiological situation.

Based on MTI’s today report, altogether 100 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 7,480 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday. So far 6,386,416 people have received a first jab, while 6,149,334 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,781,740 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections stands at 199,303, while hospitals are treating 4,919 Covid-19 patients, 201 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,746,424 have been registered with the virus, while 43,066 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,504,055 people have made a recovery.

Bachelor party
Read alsoHungarian virologist: the epidemic could soon be over in Hungary!

Hungarian virologist: the epidemic could soon be over in Hungary!

Bachelor party

According to Miklós Rusvai, Hungary is getting closer and closer to the end of the pandemic. As a result, restrictions will be lifted soon here as well, similarly to other European countries.

The United Kingdom was the first in Europe to lift most of the restrictions, followed by Sweden which has recently announced that „the pandemic, at least as we know it, is over” – reported the Hungarian news portal Világgazdaság. Although the epidemiological situation in Hungary is not that promising at the moment, still we have some positive news. According to Miklós Rusvai, Hungarian virologist,

the epidemic could soon be over in Hungary.

The expert said that Hungary passed the peak of daily new infections about two weeks ago, so the number of people hospitalised is now at its peak, and this is expected to slowly decrease. He also emphasised that the majority of patients are hospitalised due to other complaints. In these cases, it only turns out after testing that the patients have coronavirus infection. Thus, these patients have mild symptoms.

According to Miklós Rusvai, considering the decreasing number of deaths and active infections which are well below the expected figures, Hungary is getting closer and closer to the end of the pandemic.

As the Hungarian news portal ATV reports, the Hungarian virologist also said that

no further vaccination and restrictions are needed in the current epidemiological situation.

“Those who have taken the vaccinate did the right thing, protecting themselves and preventing the spread of the epidemic, but those who haven’t gotten vaccinated so far obviously did not want to take the jab. I don’t see any point or reason for them to suddenly change their mind now,” he said.

As far as Hungarian immunity cards are concerned, the expert hopes that the deadline for the certificates will be extended again in May, after which they might no longer be needed. According to the virologist, restrictions will be lifted soon in Hungary as well, similarly to other countries. “With this fifth wave, Covid has actually released its poison in Hungary,” he said.

Although some claim that the coronavirus epidemic is coming to an end, WHO has recently pointed out that further waves and new sub-viruses could be on the way. The southern hemisphere is now entering the winter, which can bring new pandemic waves in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America. From September, a new mutant might occur in Europe as well that will come with flu-like symptoms.

As for protective measures, Rusvai would maintain the use of masks, especially in autumn, on a voluntary basis. Besides coronavirus, this can protect us against other diseases as well.

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Number of active infections stands at 202,738 in Hungary

Coronavirus hospital nurse doctor

Altogether 115 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 8,578 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.

So far 6,384,828 people have received a first jab, while 6,146,028 have been double-jabbed. Fully 3,776,200 Hungarians have received a booster shot.

The number of active infections stands at 202,738, while hospitals are treating 5,062 Covid-19 patients, 206 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.

Since the first outbreak, 1,738,944 have been registered with the virus, while 42,966 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,493,240 people have made a recovery.

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