An average of 1,540.7 people per day tested positive for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) in Belgium during the past week, according to the latest figures by Sciensano on Tuesday.
Over the 7-day period from 19 to 25 September, this is still an 11% increase compared to a week earlier, but the third consecutive decrease of new confirmed cases on a daily basis.
Additionally, 178.2 infections were confirmed per 100,000 inhabitants over the past two weeks, which is an increase of 122% compared to two weeks earlier. The number continues to increase, but the rate of increase is slowing, according to Sciensano.
The total number of confirmed cases in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic is 115,353. The total reflects all people in Belgium who have been infected, and includes confirmed active cases as well as patients who have since recovered, or died as a result of the virus.
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Between 21 and 28 September, 64.4 new hospitalisations per day were recorded on average, up from 56.8 per day the week before.
In total, 708 patients are currently in hospital, which is 54 more than yesterday. Of those patients, 140 are in intensive care, five more than yesterday. Patients on a ventilator number 71, eight more than yesterday.
An average number of 4.4 deaths occurred per day over the past week, up from the average of 3.4 the week before. The total number of deaths in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic is currently 9,987 – three more than yesterday.
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of over 3.2 million tests have been carried out.
Belgium’s reproduction number (Rt) is currently 1.13, according to Sciensano’s figures. This means that, across the country, one infected person infects more than one other person on average, and that the epidemic is still growing.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
