Hundreds of Romanian coronavirus patients have discharged themselves from hospital following a court ruling against mandatory hospitalisation as the country grapples with a surge in infections.

A total of 624 patients, who tested positive for the virus, have asked to leave hospital and now risk transmitting the disease in their communities, Health Minister Nelu Tataru told a private TV channel late Wednesday.

In addition, more than half of 50,000 people, undergoing mandatory self-isolation after returning from abroad, have left their homes in defiance of doctors' recommendations, Tataru said.