This week, the 10,000 daily cases of Covid-19 were exceeded, with an average of 10,081 infections for the week of November 3-9. A significant increase, of nearly 39%, which can worry. How to explain the appearance of this fourth wave, despite the Belgian vaccination rate?
In an interview given to our colleagues from Nieuwsblad, Steven Van Gucht first of all points to the multitude of places in which the coronavirus can spread, with more or less ease. Indeed, the large presence of the virus in society increases the risk of being infected. “The risk of being infected by a passer-by is much lower than by someone with whom we have close contact“, emphasizes the virologist.
And if primary school was often cited as a risky place, this is no longer the case. “There are no more drivers today, the incidence is more or less the same everywhere“, explains the virologist, who nevertheless insists on the fact that children remain an important vector. “They catch it in class and infect their parents. Colleagues infect each other at work. Friends pass the virus on to each other at private parties.”, he emphasizes.
For Steven Van Gucht, a reconfinement is for the moment excluded. The virologist instead insists on the measures already in place, such as social distancing and wearing a mask, as well as teleworking. He also invites the Belgians to limit their contacts.
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