The spread of the novel coronavirus is exceptionally rampant in Hungary compared to most other European countries, virologist Ferenc Jakab said at a conference of the University of Pécs (PTE). The head of Hungary’s coronavirus working group and one of PM Orbán’s advisers also warned that the number of cases and the death rate will greatly increase in the country within weeks.
Nobody should be fooled by the fact that the coronavirus epidemic right now is primarily spreading among young people because that doesn’t mean elderly people are safe. Based on epidemiological observations, the increase in the number of infections is followed by an increase in the number of deaths in 5-7 weeks, Jakab said.
The number of people on ventilators is growing each day, and 80% of those who need the device due to Covid-19 do not survive, he said.
“We are analyzing Hungary’s statistics with mathematicians and epidemiologists,” Jakab noted.
Among European countries, the spread of the virus is the second-fastest in Hungary behind France but ahead of Spain and far ahead of Italy, where the outbreak reached an enormous level in the spring, the virologist said.
The epidemic is exceptionally rampant in Hungary compared to Europe in proportion to the population.
„Nothing positive can be predicted for the coming weeks,” Jakab said.
This pandemic can only be stopped by a vaccine, restrictive measures can only slow down the spread of the virus, he outlined.
The virologist is hopeful that the recently paused trials of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University will have its initial results by the end of the year, then mass production and vaccination may begin in the first half of next year.
Jakab called those who “spread false doctrines” about the virus on social media, “white-cloaked charlatans.” “There is an epidemic in Hungary, everyone should accept it,” he added.
Featured photo via aok.pte.hu
