The number of new coronavirus infections decreased by four percent between 25 and 31 October compared to the previous week. According to virologist Steven Van Gucht, the efforts are starting to work, but the current regime must still be maintained for a long time to get into safe waters.
–
“Just like in the past few days, we see the figures evolving in a positive way,” Van Gucht said during the crisis centre’s press conference. “The peak of the second wave may be visible.”
The number of new infections continues to fall slightly, and the number of hospital admissions is also falling slightly. In intensive care, the number of patients is still increasing slightly, but the pace is slowing down. The number of deaths remains very high, but the increase is slowing down slightly.
If these trends continue, Tuesday October 27 will be the peak of the second wave for the time being, with just over 22,000 infections in one day.
‘It is clear that the efforts are starting to work, but the way down is still a long time, we have to maintain the current regime for a long time to get into safe waters,’ said Van Gucht.
At the moment, half of the infections occur in the over-40s, the over-90s are still the most affected. The decrease is visible in almost all parts of the country, only in Namur is a slight increase of four percent.
‘Despite these declines, the number of infections is still unseen high,’ said Van Gucht. “We are still among the highest in Europe, along with the Czech Republic.”
Lump or pain? Have yourself examined ‘
According to Van Gucht, it is remarkably quiet at GPs and the emergency department for non-covid care. ‘It sometimes looks like a quiet summer day instead of a typical autumn day,’ said Van Gucht. ‘Many people wait to see their doctor or to go to an emergency room because they fear there is no time. Nothing could be further from the truth, ‘Van Gucht emphasized. “Only non-urgent care will be postponed, but you can still go there for complaints or concerns, and the consultations will continue.”
‘If you feel a lump, if you have pain, blood in the stool or any other complaint, do not hesitate, but have a doctor examine yourself,’ said Van Gucht. “There is room for you, and it is safe.”
Residential care centers
The number of infections and outbreaks in residential care centers is still rising, but here too the increase is slower than last week. The number of major outbreaks also continues to increase, with ten cases or more. The staff in the residential care centers also have a difficult time, they have a difficult task, in combination with the infections among the staff themselves, there is more dropout. ‘Students are increasingly working as volunteers in different care sectors, we want to express our support to the staff, the students, volunteers and informal carers’, said Van Gucht.
View the figures for Friday 6 November here.
– .
