Hungary is seeing a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths, in part due to the rapid spread of the British variant of the coronavirus, the human resources ministry said.

In order to ensure constant care for Covid patients and to contain the spread of the virus, the minister on Friday ordered all hospitals as well as the National Ambulance Service to suspend same-day surgeries, it added.

The ministry said the suspension would remain in place as long as it is warranted by the status of the pandemic.