Twenty students from India who are studying nursing in Aalst and Leuven are infected with the Indian variant of the corona virus. “A strict quarantine and follow-up apply immediately,” says Aalsters mayor Christoph D’Haese (N-VA).
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This concerns 11 of the 21 students staying in Aalst and 9 of the 22 in Leuven. Mayor of Aalst Christoph D’Haese and Mayor of Leuven Mohamed Ridouani confirm this to the press agency Belgian.
The students arrived in our country on April 12. They landed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and were taken by bus to Aalst and Leuven. ‘There was probably a super spreader on the bus, because five days later, on April 17, the first students became ill,’ says virologist Marc Van Ranst to the VRT. The students were tested. It was then determined that it concerns the new, Indian variant of the corona virus.
The students will follow a one-year nursing course in our country to get started in the residential care centers, D’Haese explains. The eleven students in Aalst have been in quarantine since their arrival. ‘They have not mixed with the population. Of course, the police will strictly monitor this quarantine. Under no circumstances are students allowed to leave their homes. ‘ The Aalst security cell is closely monitoring the situation.
Mayor Ridouani confirms that 9 out of 22 students in Leuven have tested positive for the Indian variant. ‘Just like in Aalst, the students are in quarantine with us. The local police is checking this and our crisis team is also following up the situation closely. We are also in contact with the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. ‘
Hospitals in India are filling up with corona patients. Local experts are concerned about an “Indian variety,” which would be more contagious and make patients more sick.
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