Economy 2 February 2021, 11:20am

COVID-19 in Hungary: 578 new cases, 78 fatalities on Monday

Portfolio

As usual after a weekend, the official government website reported a low number of new cases, 578, while fatalities remained high at 78. Unfortunately, the number of coronavirus patients in hospital has increased for the second day in a row.

Authorities confirmed 578 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Monday, continuing the pattern where the pandemic defence system’s lower capacity over the weekend results in lower Monday figures. Test numbers were also low at 7,794, with a 7.4% positivity rate.

The situation is not very rosy regarding fatalities and patients treated in hospital, with the latter number increasing to 3,729, while the 78 fatalities are relatively high considering the lower case numbers.

243,036 people have received coronavirus vaccine in Hungary so far, and 68,526 of them have already got their second shots, for 2.5% and 0.7% of the population, respectively.

The campaign to vaccinate health workers has been completed, and 82,000 people received vaccines in nursing and social homes. This week, the programme will continue with the elderly, who will be contacted by their family doctors. However, the vaccination schedule will have to be reworked slightly as Hungary only received 11,000 doses of Moderna vaccine on Sunday instead of the 18,000 expected. The next vaccine shipment will be from Pfizer today, also to be used primarily on the elderly.

Cover photo: Shutterstock