The declining curve in the number of new confirmed corona infections is leveling off. On average, there were 445 new cases every day during the last seven days for which full figures are available.
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Brussels had the highest number of confirmed infections with 784 cases in seven days, although 57 fewer than the week before. Antwerp experienced the largest decrease (-132 to 565), Liège the largest increase (+122 to 311). The average number of new infections is also increasing in West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, Namur and Luxembourg, according to data from health institute Sciensano on Saturday morning.
The declining curve (in the longer term) of the number of new confirmed corona infections appears to be leveling off. On average, there were 445 new cases every day during the last seven days for which full figures are available. That is one percent less compared to the week before.
But, also for comparison: yesterday, Sciensano reported that an average of 439.4 new infections with the corona virus were detected every day in the week from 25 to 31 August. On Thursday the average of the previous seven days was 439.9 and on Wednesday we were talking about 438.4 infections on average.
Why the decline is stagnating
“In the longer term, there is still a decline,” said virologist Steven Van Gucht about this earlier this week. ‘But if you look at the figures for the last week of August, in the shorter term, that decline seems to be slowing down or even stagnating. We will have to keep a close eye on this in the coming days. ‘
The cause is probably the influx of holiday infections. ‘Do the math,’ Van Gucht reported recently. TUI has just announced that they will repatriate 2,000 people from Spain. If you know that at least 2 to 3% of travelers come home infected, things can go quickly. ‘ However, there are no exact numbers about these “holiday infections”.
Virologist Marc Van Ranst also mentioned a certain ‘corona fatigue’ earlier. ‘The fear is gone and many people no longer obey the rules. That sentiment is now supported by some open letters and politicians who argue for “learning to live with the virus”. I understand where that comes from, I understand it’s a strategy, but it’s a policy choice. As a virologist, I cannot endorse that until there is a vaccine. ‘
Good news though
The average daily number of hospital admissions has continued to fall in recent days, by 26 percent, to 16.1. The average number of daily deaths fell by 29 percent over the same period to 3.4. Our country now has a total of 9,901 fatalities from the corona virus.
There are currently 215 corona patients in the hospital (+3 percent). Of these, 52 are in intensive care (-10 percent).
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