Based on actual data, the restrictive measures and residents’ disciplined behavior seem to have slowed down the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary, the leader of Hungary’s coronavirus research action group, Ferenc Jakab, said.
He added, however, that there are still a number of other factors affecting how long the epidemic would last which is unpredictable at the moment. He also cannot estimate when it would turn from cluster to mass infection in Hungary.
According to Jakab, who also leads the Szentágothai János Research Centre’s Virological research group at the University of Pécs, previous studies suggest that the genome of the virus isn’t very variable. As a result, chances of re-infection are very low and those who recover from the disease may become immune for up to 1-3 years. A potential, cyclical return of the virus in the future cannot be ruled out, however.
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The researcher said that reaching so-called herd immunity (which would protect the majority of society) isn’t a realistic goal at this point, the most important thing being for the healthcare system to be able to treat those with severe symptoms without overburdening it. He therefore, calls on everyone to remain patient and to try to slow down the epidemic together.
featured image by MTI/Attila Balázs