NUMBERS. View the figures and interactive map: Record of 21,500 infections last Tuesday

The contamination figures continue to rise. Occupancy is also increasing in hospitals. A new record of 21,448 confirmed infections was recorded on Tuesday.

The numbers remain alarming. The seven-day average rises to 15,847 infections per day. That is an increase of 31%, but according to virologist Steven Van Gucht, that figure gives a distorted picture, he explained at the Crisic Center press conference on Friday.

“This figure gives an impression that the epidemic is starting to slow down, but we have to be very careful with this conclusion,” he explained. Since Wednesday 21 October, our country is no longer testing asymptomatic high-risk contacts or travelers from red zones. “As a result, a number of infections have since been missing in the recent statistics,” said Van Gucht. An earlier estimate showed that with an unchanged test strategy, the average number of infections would fluctuate around 18,000.

Hospital figures

In hospitals, the number of patients admitted continues to rise and we are exceeding the peak occupancy we experienced during the first wave.

During the first wave, we had a peak day with 5,759 hospitalizations on April 6. On Friday, October 30, 6,438 people with COVID-19 were already in the hospital. 1,105 people need intensive care. The peak in intensive care was reached during the first wave on April 8 with 1,285 patients in ICU. Marc Noppen, CEO of UZ Brussel, warned in ‘De Afspraak’ for an increase to 14,000 hospitalizations and 2,200 to 2,600 patients in intensive care.

The number of deaths has also continued to rise. On average, 91 people per day died from COVID-19 in the past seven days. That is 140% more than last week.

Positiviteitsratio

Between October 21 and October 27, 452,762 tests were performed, or a daily average of 64,680 tests. On average, one in four tests in our country is positive!

In the province of Liège 46.1% of the tests carried out are positive (!), Hainaut follows with 36%, Brussels 35.2%, Namur 35.2%, Walloon Brabant 34.8%, Luxembourg 32.5%, Flemish Brabant 22.1%, East Flanders 17.7%, Antwerp 17.6%, West Flanders 16.7% and Limburg 14.6%. The German-speaking community also has record numbers with 41.4% of the tests performed (892 positive out of 2,153 tests performed) turning out to be positive.

Keep in mind that only people with symptoms have been tested since last Wednesday (21/10), so the positivity ratio is higher than normal.

All Saints Day

During All Saints’ weekend, continue to strictly observe the measures, also in the cemetery. Preferably wear a mouth mask, keep your distance if you meet acquaintances and wait until a later time if you are busy. People were urged not to meet up with friends or family afterwards. Friends, family and acquaintances can also pass on the virus to you. Keep in touch, but do it digitally for now.

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