Government: Hungary has sufficient numbers of hospital beds
The prime minister’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, said today that Hungary had a sufficient number of hospital beds, with only 25 percent of them occupied by Covid-19 patients. He added that 2,261 Covid patients and 596 patients whose Covid status was unconfirmed were currently hospitalised. Fully 8,546 beds in Hungarian hospitals are unoccupied, he said, adding that the capacity could be increased if necessary.
Concerning Omicron, Gulyás said the jab ensured protection against serious symptoms rather than the infection itself, adding that all vaccines licenced in Hungary were effective. Omicron, he added, accounted for a significant proportion of new infections, and warned that the number of new infections was “growing fast”, with the number of people becoming sick expected to grow significantly in the next few weeks. He added, however, that
Omicron caused less serious symptoms, and in other countries a higher number of infections had not resulted in a higher number of hospitalisations or deaths.
He said he hoped the situation in Hungary would follow that pattern.
Gulyás stressed that the primary protection against Covid was vaccination, adding that Hungary had a total 9.2 million doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Sinopharm vaccines. He welcomed the large number of shots administered during the recent vaccination campaign. Jabs without registration will continue in February on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, he said, adding that currently 64 percent of Hungarians were vaccinated,
“a good ratio in the region, though we are in the last third in European comparison.”
In response to a question, Gulyás said the government was being cautious when it came to shortening the quarantine period, adding that it had approved a “more conservative” proposal in the matter.
Asked about free Covid tests, he said the government had always prioritised vaccination over making testing free.
He also said the government will issue a decree this week on the option of a fourth Covid shot for those who ask for it after consultations with their doctor.
Asked about vaccination rates, he said there were geographical reasons behind the relatively low rate in central Europe compared with western Europe. The vaccination rate in Hungary, however, is still higher than in neighbouring countries, with the exception of Austria, he added.
Read alsoHungary the least prepared for the Omicron variant?
Omicron raging: almost 10 thousand new infections in just 24h
Altogether 81 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 9,216 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.
Fully 29 percent of new infections have been caused by the Omicron variant.
So far 6,299,590 people have received a first jab, while 6,045,893 have been fully vaccinated. Fully 3,306,370 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections has risen to 122,424, while hospitals are treating 2,647 Covid-19 patients, 249 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.
Since the first outbreak, 1,318,093 have been registered with the virus, while 40,164 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,155,505 people have made a recovery.
Read also12 people received six doses of a Covid vaccine in a Budapest hospital
Omicron spreads shockingly fast in Hungary
Altogether 67 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 7,883 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
Fully 29 percent of new infections have been caused by the Omicron variant, official data says. However, we reported HERE that Neumann Labs said the new variant was present in 78 pc of their samples at the beginning of January. This rate was above 60 pc in December.
- Read also: Fifth wave arrived in Hungary?
According to MTI, so far 6,297,101 people have received a first jab, while 6,039,940 have been fully vaccinated. Fully 3,299,569 Hungarians have received a booster jab. The number of active infections has risen to 118,945, while
hospitals are treating 2,758 Covid-19 patients, 257 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.
Since the first outbreak, 1,308,877 have been registered with the virus, while 40,083 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,308,877 people have made a recovery.
Eduline.hu reported today that the number of infected skyrocketed in elementary and secondary schools. In some Budapest schools, all students are home and take part in online education. In another school, students and teachers produced 50 positive tests last week. Therefore,
no open days will be held in the schools in January and February. But the Educatio fair will be organized.
The trend of the growing number of new infections started in December. Since the inoculation rate of the students is not high enough, the omicron variant spreads quickly among them. A third of the 5-18-year-old students received one, and a quarter of them two jabs. For teachers, the state prescribed obligatory vaccination. As a result, 780 teachers left the education system since they refused the jab.
Read also12 people received six doses of a Covid vaccine in a Budapest hospital
It’s official: the fifth wave started in Hungary, nr of infections rise
Professor Béla Merkely, the rector of the Semmelweis University, said that the omicron variant is very virulent and can find the smallest “chink in the armour.”
Omicron = fifth wave
According to hvg.hu, Professor Merkely added that the fifth wave of the epidemic started in Hungary. In a Kossuth Rádió interview, he added that the original Vuhan variant of the virus caused the first two waves. Meanwhile, the British were behind the third and the delta behind the fourth waves. The newest,
omicron variant is responsible for the fifth, he cleared.
Authorities detected this variant in South Africa last November. Experts say that omicron is very virulent and can find the smallest “chink in the armour.” However, only non-inoculated people have to be concerned, he highlighted. Those vaccinated struggle only with lighter symptoms like sore throat, fever lasting for a couple of days, and headache.
Merkely said that the number of new infections would rise quickly in Hungary. It might happen that the number of patients will grow tenfold.
The number of people in severe conditions will also increase.
The number of new infections rises unstoppably
International data show that the omicron variant spreads quicker than the previous variants. Based on the calculations of the WHO, its doubling time is 1.5-3 days.
According to MTI, altogether 101 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 6,524 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday. So far, 6,278,355 people have received the first jab, while 6,006,178 have been fully vaccinated. Fully 3,217,724 Hungarians have received a booster jab. The number of active infections has risen to 105,529, while
hospitals are treating 3,070 Covid-19 patients, 291 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.
Since the first outbreak, 1,282,957 have been registered with the virus, while 39,780 deaths have been recorded. Fully 1,137,648 people have made a recovery.
Read alsoHBO series to come about Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó and the vaccine
Nr of new infections skyrocketing, GP says 5th wave has arrived
Szabolcs Békássy asks everybody to call their doctor if they experience respiratory symptoms. The chairman of the online organization of Hungarian GPs added that the number of patients with such symptoms rose significantly. That means the fourth and fifth waves of the coronavirus overlapped.
Less severe symptoms but more patients in the fifth wave
Mr Békássy highlighted that the omicron variant is in the background spreading dramatically. “Thanks to the vaccines, we experience that the symptoms are less severe in the case of omicron” – he said. Most of their patients complain about shore throat and the common cold. However, it seems the flu also arrived in Hungary. We wrote about the dangers of a combined flu and omicron epidemic HERE.
- Read also: Will the Omicron virus explode in Budapest?
Meanwhile, MTI reported that altogether 82 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 5,270 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
So far 6,269,955 people have received a first jab, while
5,990,568 have been fully vaccinated.
Fully 3,191,997 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
More than 300 patients receiving respiratory assistance
The number of active infections has risen to 101,457, while
hospitals are treating 3,090 Covid-19 patients, 307 of whom are intubated on a ventilator.
Since the first outbreak, 1,269,979 have been registered with the virus, while 39,599 deaths have beeen recorded. Fully 1,128,923 people have made a recovery.
Read alsoHBO series to come about Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó and the vaccine
Number of active infections declined further in Hungary
Altogether 82 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 3,360 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.
So far 6,266,064 people have received a first jab, while 5,981,569 have been fully vaccinated. Fully 3,176,553 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections went down to 105,553, while hospitals are treating 3,492 Covid-19 patients, 334 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,256,415 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 39,186. Fully 1,111,676 people have made a recovery.
Read alsoThe Omicron variant spreads much quicker than the government says!
Almost 40 thousand Hungarians died in COVID
Altogether 115 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 3,005 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
So far 6,257,771 people have received a first jab, while 5,973,555 have been fully vaccinated. Fully 3,161,930 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
So far 68 cases of the Omicron variant have been officially detected in Hungary.
The number of active infections stands at 113,057, while hospitals are treating 3,854 Covid-19 patients, 357 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,249,694 COVID infections have been registered, while
the number of fatalities has risen to 39,009.
Fully 1,097,628 people have made a recovery.
Read alsoCORRUPTION – Hungarian doctor issued fake vaccination certificates
Government: Hungary’s healthcare system prepared for potential next wave
Hungary’s healthcare system is prepared to handle a potential next wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and there are sufficient quantities of vaccines available, a government official said on Tuesday.
Csaba Dömötör, parliamentary secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, told public news channel M1 that developments connected to the new Omicron variant were constantly being monitored. Epidemic protection measures are determined by circumstances such as whether enough protective equipment is available and health-care capacities.
Hospital capacity, he said, was now sufficient and there were significant reserves, too.
Only vaccination, however, offered an effective solution in combatting the epidemic, he added.
Dömötör welcomed that over 6 million Hungarians have been vaccinated, including over
3 million who have received their booster shots.
Future restrictions can be avoided if the number of vaccinated further increases, he said.
Read alsoDid the Hungarian authorities take risks with the Sputnik V vaccine?
Fourth wave downhill in Hungary!
Altogether 151 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 1,370 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Tuesday.
So far 6,252,653 people have received a first jab, while 5,968,354 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether 3,153,470 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections stands at 116,778, while
hospitals are treating 4,019 Covid-19 patients, 374 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,246,689 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 38,894. Fully 1,091,017 people have made a recovery.
There are 15,775 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 9,119,505.
Read alsoHungarian Covid ward: it is a stressful job, vaccinate yourself! – VIDEO
Latest COVID-report: better numbers
Altogether 139 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 3,359 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
So far 6,239,410 people have received a first jab, while 5,951,491 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether 3,124,497 Hungarians have received a booster jab. The number of active infections stands at 135,217, while hospitals are treating 5,159 Covid-19 patients,
464 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,233,744 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 38,167. Fully 1,060,360 people have made a recovery. There are 31,081 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 9,037,023.
Meanwhile, the virus and the restrictions hit the economy of Hungary significantly, as well. Despite government communication, the economy still struggles with difficulties. For example, MTI reported that Hungary had a trade deficit for the fourth month in a row in October. The data was confirmed by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) confirmed in a second reading of data on Wednesday.
Exports edged up 0.3 percent year on year to 10.310 billion euros, while imports climbed by 13.4 percent to 10.612 billion euros to give Hungary a trade deficit of 302 million euros.
Read alsoCould schools close due to mandatory vaccination for teachers?
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?
Number of new infections decreased in Hungary
Altogether 154 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 4,977 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Friday.
So far 6,208,430 people have received a first jab, while 5,923,284 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether 3,065,350 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections stands at 154,511, while
hospitals are treating 5,856 Covid-19 patients, 519 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,218,295 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 37,530. Fully 1,026,254 people have made a recovery.
There are 45,852 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 8,947,845.
Read alsoOmicron to ravage Hungary soon?
Number of deaths, new infections still very high
Altogether 144 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours, while 5,298 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.
So far 6,200,040 people have received a first jab, while 5,914,603 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether 3,043,950 Hungarians have received a booster jab. The number of active infections stands at 159,853, while hospitals are treating 6,109 Covid-19 patients, 542 of whom need respiratory assistance.
Since the first outbreak, 1,213,318 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 37,376. Fully 1,016,089 people have made a recovery.
Since the first outbreak, 1,213,318 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 37,376. Fully 1,016,089 people have made a recovery.
There are 45,659 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 8,919,775.
Read alsoTragic! Many children with Covid-19 are in intensive care
Important decision made about pandemic management today!
In view of the current pandemic situation, the government has decided to extend the coronavirus-related state of medical preparedness until June 18, 2022, the human resources ministry said on Thursday.
“The prolongation is necessary because the coronavirus pandemic is still prevalent around the world. It is prevalent in Europe and in Hungary, the number of infections is high and the
Omicron variant is present in the country,”
the ministry said in a statement.
The government and the operative board in charge of pandemic response will continue to closely monitor the situation and, if necessary, take additional measures to enhance protection, it said. The state of medical preparedness will allow for swift government response and decisions in the interest of protecting people’s health, the statement added.
Read alsoTragic! Many children with Covid-19 are in intensive care
Tragic! Many children with Covid-19 are in intensive care
The pandemic is affecting children more seriously than many people would assume.
Surviving the pandemic seems to be easier for those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. They can somewhat get back to a sense of normality without the numerous restrictions. Others are looking at the situation from another perspective, thinking not only about their freedom but also about the protection and safety of others. There are people, however, who are anti-vax or simply wait for another vaccine to be available, such as Novavax. But there is one demographic that is not often mentioned in the discussions about the pandemic, a demographic that many people thought were protected against the virus.
While there is a misinformation that children do not get infected with the virus, the truth is far from it. Many children with Covid-19 were taken to intensive care and put on ventilators. There were 100 children with Covid-19 in intensive care during the third wave of the pandemic. Many of these young patients are under the age of 10. If they survive and recover, they will be protected against the virus for only half a year.
Fifty children with Covid-19 were taken to the Heim Pal Children’s Hospital since January. The chief medical officer of the hospital told RTL that even healthy children can get the virus and badly suffer from the consequences.
Read more: Hungarian discovery: This can triple the chance of survival for COVID-19 patients
Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine that can be administered to children. Portfolio writes that 69,000 doses of the vaccine suitable for children aged between 5 and 11 have arrived to Hungary. One hundred cars started delivering the vaccines at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
The first doses arrived at the Heim Pál Children’s Hospital in Budapest. The hospital functions as a logistic center. They received 600 vaccines, out of which 342 would be taken to Semmelweis University, Dél-pesti Centrumkórház (South Pest Central Hospital), and Szent János Hospital. The vaccines that arrived in Budapest are sufficient for 36,000 children.
Read more: Crazy things people do for a fake vaccine certificate
New Hungarian test to detect all variants + latest COVID news
A Hungarian company developed a unique PCR test capable of detecting 99 pc of the known coronavirus variants, including the newest, omicron. Made by Femtonics Ltd, the test is easy to use. Meanwhile, the fourth wave of the pandemic is still raging in Hungary. Check out the latest news and data in the article.
Based on the company’s statement, the test can show the presence of the virus in just 4-10 minutes. Its efficacy is almost 100 pc – index.hu reported. Neuroscientist and practising doctor, Balázs Rózsa, said that one of the benefits of their genetics-based test is it can detect all virus and bacteria variants. The CEO and founder of the company added that the cost of their process is low. Therefore,
it might be capable of revolutionizing lab diagnostics.
Meanwhile, altogether
153 patients died of a Covid-related illness over the past 24 hours,
while 5,506 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday. So far 6,194,221 people have received a first jab, while 5,906,701 have been fully vaccinated. Altogether 3,028,149 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections stands at 165,202, while hospitals are treating 6,337 Covid-19 patients, 540 of whom need respiratory assistance. Since the first outbreak, 1,208,020 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 37,232. Fully
1,005,586 people have made a recovery.
There are 42,569 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 8,890,023.
Read alsoHungarian discovery: This can triple the chance of survival for COVID-19 patients
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causing mass illness among Hungarian children
A so-called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mass illness among Hungarian children below 2. At the Semmelweis University, the number of small children treated with respiratory symptoms increased tenfold, they said. Attila Szabó, chairman of the paediatrics branch of the hospital, said that RSV is a well-known pathogen.
Number of new RSV cases rising
According to Helló Magyar, RSV is a virulent pathogen transmitted via inhalation of droplets. However, it has not caused an epidemic for decades. It is dangerous for newborns and babies. In their case, it can cause severe inflammation of the respiratory system. Furthermore, it might result in pneumonia inhibiting oxygen uptake.
The peak of RSV infections is in late autumn and the winter months.
However, this year that changed since many patients came already from October. Attila Szabó highlighted that the 4-5-day-long incubation period helped the spread of the virus.
Breaking – Hungary to start inoculating children aged 5-11!
RSV does not cause severe symptoms in the case of older children or adults. They mostly experience only a runny nose, higher body temperature, or lack of appetite. Therefore, they are a risk only of spreading the virus. Mr Szabó highlighted that there is no treatment or medicine for RSV. Thus, parents should concentrate on prevention. Using a mask, washing your hands regularly, or social distancing can help. The RSV
remains virulent for 7-8 hours even on solid surfaces like door handles or phones.
No vaccine
Mr Szabó said that one should turn to a doctor in case of unappeasable coughing fit, panting or hyperventilation. If a newborn or a premature refuses to eat, we should take that as a warning sign, as well. This year they met even 6-year-old children requiring hospital treatment with RSV.
There is no vaccine for RSV.
Omicron variant detected near Hungary + latest COVID data
However, children below two are entitled to passive immunisation, meaning antibody injection into the muscles. However, that provides only short-term immunity. To identify the disease, we can use quick tests and children PCR. A positive result does not mean quarantine or hospital treatment, Mr Szabó said.
Read also10 reasons to regularly eat pumpkin in autumn
COVID peaking + new flu variants to hit Hungary
Experts say that we should expect a severe flu epidemic because of the current moderate epidemic measures and the new variants that have appeared since last year. The good news is that there are multiple vaccines against the flu in Hungary. They can be administered two weeks after the Covid-19 jabs. MTI reported that 215 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, 7,310 new coronavirus infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday.
New flu variants evolved in Asia
According to experts talking to Magyar Nemzet, 15-20 pc of the population gets the flu virus regularly. Last year, this rate was 0, but
the prognosis for 2021 says that the ratio will be around 30-40%.
That is because, last year, there was no traffic between Hungary and South-East Asia where the new flu variants evolve. Thus, they could not get into Europe. Furthermore, even if they did, they did not have a chance to spread because of Covid-19 measures, like mask-wearing.
However, in 2021, such measures are much more moderate, so the virus will have a chance to spread, Dr Lajos Ócsai, the Head of the Department of Epidemiology Office of the Chief Medical Officer of State, told the Hungarian daily. The H3N2 variant of the virus, for example, has
already been detected in Croatia, the Netherlands, Russia, Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden.
He said that the outbreak of a flu epidemic is inevitable in places where authorities do not ban mass events.
Therefore, people should accept the flu vaccine. This is extremely important for those struggling with other diseases because both the coronavirus and the flu viruses make other illnesses worse.
This is why it is worth administering the flu jab
Furthermore, the flu has a lot of post-symptoms, too.
It increases the probability of a stroke, an aneurysm, and other cardiovascular catastrophes five- or tenfold.
Dr Ócsai highlighted there were three vaccines available in Hungary against the flu. All of them are the products of classic procedures, and the French one can be administered even to pregnant women.
He added that the flu vaccine could be injected two weeks after the Covid-19 jabs.
Meanwhile, the fourth wave is peaking in Hungary, with high mortality rates and infection numbers. According to MTI, a total of
215 patients died of a Covid-related illness during the past 24 hours, while 7,310 new coronavirus infections were registered,
koronavirus.gov.hu said on Thursday. So far, 6,171,489 people have received the first jab, while 5,878,951 have been fully vaccinated. A total of 2,864,506 Hungarians have received a booster jab.
The number of active infections stands at 184,527, while hospitals are treating 7,119 Covid-19 patients, 579 of whom need respiratory assistance. Since the first outbreak, 1,176,038 infections have been registered, while the number of fatalities has risen to 36,263. 955,248 people have made a full recovery. There are 53,187 people in official quarantine, while the number of tests taken stands at 8,734,938.