COVID-19 in Hungary: new cases highest since mid-December

The latest official statistics suggest that the virus situation is getting worse. The number f new cases was the highest since 18 December, boosting the seven-day average to 2,927, which is nearly 70% higher than a week ago and clearly indicate that arrival of the third wave.

The 120 fatalities can also be considered a warning as it is the highest daily figure since 12 January. The virus claimed 637 lives in the past seven days, 8% more than in the preceding seven-day period. The rate of increase here is naturally lower for the moment than the growth in new cases.

There are currently 4,836 coronavirus patients being treated in hospital, with 411 of them on ventilators. There was also a slight data anomaly as the number of people in hospital dropped significantly yesterday but then rose even more today (which probably means that yesterday’s figure was erroneous). The coronavirus patient total increased by 5.5% in two days and more than 20% in a week.

The number of people vaccinated in Hungary passed the half-million mark as 508,073 people have received the first dose of the vaccine and 211,073 of them got the second shot as well. General practitioners have started vaccinating using the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. Each doctor will vaccinate 50 to 55 registered elderly people. The vaccination of chronic patients under 60 continues using the AstraZeneca vaccine, of which 10 doses are available per practice. Vaccination of the elderly also continues this week using the Pfizer vaccine.

In the past 24 hours, 29,399 tests were applied in Hungary, which is a new record excluding the times of mass rapid testing. Nevertheless, the number of positive tests rose to 14.9%, the highest this year, and the seven-day average now stands at 14%.

Cover photo: Getty Images