The increase in average coronavirus infections and hospitalisations continues, according to the latest figures published by the Sciensano public health institute on Tuesday.
Between 16 and 22 January, an average of 2,119.7 new people tested positive per day over the past week, which is a 5% increase compared to the week before.
The total number of confirmed cases in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic is 694,858. 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.
Over the past two weeks, 252.6 infections were confirmed per 100,000 inhabitants, which is a 14% increase compared to the two weeks before.
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Between 19 and 25 January, an average of 135.3 patients were admitted to hospital, which is 17% more than the week before.
In total, 1,958 coronavirus patients are currently in hospital, or 35 more than yesterday. Of all patients, 324 are in intensive care, which is 2 more than yesterday. A total of 170 patients are on a ventilator – 8 more than yesterday.
From 16 to 22 January, an average number of 49.9 deaths occurred per day, marking a 3.6% decrease compared to the week before.
The total number of deaths in the country since the beginning of the pandemic is currently 20,814.
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 7,929,669 tests have been carried out. Of those tests, an average of 42,566.9 were taken per day over the past week, with a positivity rate of 5.6%.
The percentage increased by 0.5% compared to last week, along with a 5% decrease in testing.
A total of 192,117 people in Belgium have received the first dose of their vaccinations, or 2.09% of the population aged 18 and older. In addition, 584 people have received their second dose.
The reproduction rate, finally, stands at 1.08, which means that a person infected with coronavirus infects just over one person on average and the pandemic is growing.
Jason Spinks
The Brussels Times
