COVID-19 in Hungary: daily new cases at record high

Portfolio
Hungarian authorities confirmed 8,312 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Wednesday, increasing the total number since last March to 489,172. This is a new dally record in Hungary. The death toll rose to 16,497 after 172, mostly elderly or chronic, patients succumbed to the disease yesterday.
koronavírus maszk mti

coronaThere were 8,312 new coronavirus cases identified in Hungary yesterday, the official government website said Thursday morning.

This is a sad new record, the highest number of coronavirus cases confirmed in Hungary in a day.

The peak of the second wave was 6,819 new cases in a single day, but this has since been surpassed by a 7,269 daily figure earlier this year.

The virus claimed the lives of 172 people yesterday, predominantly of elderly or chronic patients. This is the second highest daily fatality count after the previous day’s 179. The seven-day moving average is also on the rise: in the past week, 146 people  a day died of coronavirus-related causes on average.

virus210311b

Interestingly, the number of coronavirus patients treated in hospital decreased by 19 to 8,329. Meanwhile, 67 people were put on ventilators in the past 24 hours.

It is shocking that while the number of new cases and that of people on ventilators rose sharply, the number of coronavirus patents in hospital has not, even though it should have at this stage of the pandemic. This may indicate that hospitals have reached their capacity, as a number of hospitals in Hungary have filled up in recent days. On the other hand, according to Portfolio’s sources, hospitals are trying to “get rid of” patients as soon as possible and send milder cases home with a supply of drugs. As such, authorising the drug favipiravir for home use may alleviate some of the burden on hospitals, although this is unlikely to be the main cause as it is used for milder symptoms.

virus210311c

Authorities applied 33,464 tests yesterday, an outstanding number, but the ratio of positive tests was still very high at nearly 25%, indicating that the pandemic is still in the rising phase in Hungary.

virus210311d

So far, 1,149,557 people have been vaccinated in Hungary, for a coverage rate of 12%, and 327,428 people (3.35%) have also received the second shot.

GPs have been given the AstraZeneca vaccine this week and have been asked to continue vaccinating the registered elderly who have not received any shots yet. At hospital vaccination points, Sputnik and Pfizer vaccines are used this week, primarily to vaccinate the elderly sent by GPs. People under 60 who have chronic diseases will also be vaccinated in hospitals from Thursday to Sunday, using the AstraZeneca vaccine.

virus210311e

Cover photo: MTI / György Varga

 

More in Economy

Bosch Rexroth
August 28, 2025 14:30

GKI Economic Research Institute's economic sentiment index finally shows slight increase

Moving away from the lowest point of the post-Covid era so far

ukrán drónerők kitiltás barátság vezeték
August 28, 2025 11:30

Ukraine's drone force commander of Hungarian nationality banned from Hungary and Schengen zone

The Hungarian government "condemns all attacks on the country's sovereignty"

sas amerika usa
August 28, 2025 10:13

A Hungarian master plan could shake up US monetary policy

A Fed Governing Council member is the key to everything

gyár termelés worker
August 28, 2025 09:03

Summer sees turnaround in domestic labor market

Employment has increased

varga mihály mnb elnök jegybankelnök
August 27, 2025 12:35

No interest rate cuts to be expected this year or next, OTP experts say

The inflation situation does not allow for it

GettyImages-638925760-dolgozó-gép-gyár-gyártás-ipar-szakma-technológia-termelés
August 27, 2025 12:05

Hungarian wage agreement at risk as government intervention looms

Ministry of National Economy reacts to the fresh earnings data

LATEST NEWS
Charting is displayed using TradingView's technology, a platform, where you can build advanced charts, spot upcoming trends in the stock screener, and find inspiration in multiple trading ideas

Detailed search