Experts send message to Belgians: “To avoid a disaster”

Four experts asked the population to remain on guard against the “dangerous beast” that is the coronavirus.

The trend observed in Belgium is rather positive. With the figures for the coronavirus epidemic going in the right direction, the country has received the green light to move on to the second stage of its deconfinement. As of this Sunday, May 10, it will again be authorized to receive four people at home and, from Monday, May 11, the stores will reopen. As this new deadline approaches, the experts wanted to send a message to the Belgians. Marc Van Ranst, Erika Vlieghe, Steven Van Gucht and Geert Meyfroidt asked the population more than ever to respect the rules, even if they remain strict as regards social contacts. “We know that four people is not enough, recognized Marc Van Ranst in the message broadcast on VTM. But believe me, this is the maximum we can allow at the moment”.

According to the KULeuven virologist, we can be very proud to have succeeded in finally bringing the epidemiological curve down. “We must continue to reduce it,” encouraged the expert member of the Exit strategy task force.

Same story from Steven Van Gucht, Covid-19 inter-federal spokesperson. The president of Sciensano stressed that the scale of the epidemic was shrinking, but recalled that the virus was still present. “It remains a dangerous beast, warned Mr. Van Gucht. Above all, we must not give it too much space and freedom.”

Avoiding a “disaster”

The situation in hospitals is becoming clearer with the latest figures, but many patients still require care. “We also tried to return to work with the other patients, explained Geert Meyfroidt, president of the Belgian association of intensive medicine. The work is therefore very complicated.” This is why the doctor considered that an upsurge in the coronavirus epidemic would be a “disaster to be avoided”, both for the nursing staff and for the patients.

To this end, the experts ask the Belgians not to take advantage of these flexibilities to organize parties. “It is still too early for that, concluded Erika Vlieghe, head of the group of experts responsible for the Exit strategy. It would be very dangerous.”

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