Today, 803 covid patients still need intensive care. That is 18 less than yesterday. The peak in infections and hospital admissions also seems to have been reached.
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With 803 covid patients in intensive care, the pressure on hospitals remains high. But for the first time in almost a month, the number of patients has decreased slightly. Yesterday, 821 covid patients were in intensive care.
Previously, there was also a decrease in the number of covid patients who are in a normal ward in hospital. A peak of 2,970 patients was already reached there on Tuesday. Since then, the number of patients outside intensive care has been decreasing.
In the previous waves, that peak was followed within a week by a peak of Covid patients in intensive care. That may have now also been achieved, although it remains to be seen whether the trend will continue in the coming days. Van Gucht warned today that the number of Covid patients in intensive care could rise to 850 to 1,000.
Today, a total of 3,607 covid patients are in Belgian hospitals. In the past 24 hours, 289 new patients were admitted. There were 325 the day before.
Peak infections on November 22
At the press conference of the crisis center, virologist Steven Van Gucht (Sciensano) pointed out that the peak in infections may have been reached last week. ‘We may have reached the peak of infections for this fourth wave on Monday 22 November,’ thinks Van Gucht. “Then, with 25,574 infections, the highest number of infections since the start of the pandemic was established.”
Sciensano reported a slight increase in the weekly average (6 percent) today. This is mainly due to the still increasing figures among children and young people. In adults, the increase in infections has stopped.
It is unclear whether the number of infections will decrease after next week, or whether it will continue at the same level for a while. By taking additional measures, it can be avoided that we remain at a high level for a long time, as a result of which the pressure in hospitals remains high for longer. The Consultation Committee is currently considering possible tightening.
Omicron variant
Van Gucht believes that the spread of the omikron variant in Belgium is still well under control. He confirms that there are currently four cases in our country, which can be divided into two clusters of two people. One cluster has a link with Egypt and Turkey, the other with South Africa.
Dozens of possible infections with the omikron variant are still being investigated. Van Gucht predicts that it will take months to find out exactly what the symptoms of the new mutation are and how well current vaccines protect against the omikron variant. ‘After omikron there will be a new variant,’ warns Van Gucht. “Therefore, continue to follow the corona measures: keep your distance, wear a mouth mask and follow the rules of the government.”
Vaccinations
About 60 percent of the current patients in intensive care are fully vaccinated. Of the total number of corona patients in hospitals, the number of fully vaccinated is 68 percent. Van Gucht emphasizes that these figures are ‘distorted’, because the vaccination status of a significant part of the patients is unknown.
It is plausible that the status of people who have not been vaccinated in particular is not known. “The unvaccinated are without doubt in the overwhelming majority among the infections and in the hospitals, especially when it comes to people in risk groups.”
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