It is uncertain when the third wave will peak according to Hungarian infectologist

It is difficult to predict when the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic will peak and when case numbers will start to go down, János Szlávik, a senior infectologist of the South-Pest Central Hospital, told public media on Saturday.

The number of new infections this time is rising at a significantly faster rate than during either of the previous two waves, Szlávik said, noting that the number of hospitalised patients was also considerably higher during the current wave.

The infectologist said this indicated that the third wave of the pandemic would be more severe than the first two had been.

Most people getting infected are contracting the British variant of the virus, which can cause complications even for young people, Szlávik said. He said it was not uncommon for young people without an underlying condition to be hospitalised with the virus, and

urged the public to continue to observe the regulations issued in response to the pandemic.

At the same time, Szlávik hailed the rising vaccination rate among the elderly.

He said that with over 300 million people having received a Covid vaccine worldwide, there were bound to be reports of serious side-effects. He added, however, that

none of the vaccines being used in Hungary had caused side-effects that would require a suspension of the vaccination campaign.

Szlávik said Hungary needed a few more weeks to reach 2-3 million vaccinations, which he said could already have an effect on the trajectory of the pandemic. Achieving herd immunity, however, will require a vaccination rate of 60-70 percent, he added.

Source: MTI