The Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Hatvan announced on Facebook that a curfew has been imposed due to the epidemiological situation. The hospital confirmed this by telephone. The ban also applies to relatives and companions of patients arriving at the emergency department, and special visit requests can be made by email. Could this mean another wave of the pandemic is upon us? Continue reading below for more details.
The Albert Schweitzer Hospital made the announcement in a Facebook post, Telex reported. The ban also applies to relatives and companions of patients arriving at the emergency department, and special visit requests can be made by email. The institution justified the ban on the grounds of the epidemiological situation.
Visit restrictions in Hungary’s hospitals?
Hospital bans were commonplace during the worst of the outbreak, but this is the first such measure in the domestic health sector since the fourth wave subsided this spring.
While it is not worth drawing any grand conclusions from a hundred Facebook comments, the hospital’s post is notable for the high proportion and hysterical tone of the reactions that the epidemic restriction measures are in fact part of a backroom genocide plan. This does not bode well if the epidemic becomes serious again and mask-wearing or similar protective measures need to be brought back.
Furthermore, János Lázár, the minister of construction and investment, acknowledged to Blikk that he expected the COVID’s return this fall. Therefore, they need financial resources to prepare for that.
Expert advises everyone to practice more caution
A significant number of European countries have been hit by the sixth wave of the coronavirus, and some experts say Hungary is no exception, writes Blikk. Virologist Miklós Rusvai believes it is important to take precautions but says there is no need for concern at the moment. “I don’t see any reason for epidemiological restrictions for the time being,” the virologist told Ripost, adding that the amount of coronavirus in wastewater will determine when to expect the epidemic to spread more rapidly.
Miklós Rusvai also said that according to foreign observations, the mask cannot prevent the spread of the current virus variant. Since the burden on the health care system is not currently increasing due to the coronavirus, the government does not consider the restriction justified. However, some experts warn that with the current sub-variant, there is a risk of thrombosis and stroke for up to six months after infection.