Nearly all major coronavirus indicators in Belgium are worsening, according to the latest figures published by the Sciensano public health institute on Wednesday.
Between 17 and 23 January, an average of 2,148.0 new people tested positive per day over the past week, which is an 8% increase compared to the week before.
The total number of confirmed cases in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic is 696,642. 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, 252.4 infections were confirmed per 100,000 inhabitants, which is a 12% increase compared to the two weeks before.
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Between 20 and 26 January, an average of 130 patients were admitted to hospital, which is 5% more than the week before.
In total, 1,932 coronavirus patients are currently in hospital, or 26 fewer than yesterday. Of all patients, 323 are in intensive care, which is 1 fewer than yesterday. A total of 168 patients are on a ventilator – 2 fewer than yesterday.
From 17 to 23 January, an average number of 53.4 deaths occurred per day, marking a 5.1% increase compared to the week before.
The total number of deaths in the country since the beginning of the pandemic is currently 20,879.
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 7,973,521 tests have been carried out. Of those tests, an average of 43,358.0 were taken per day over the past week, with a positivity rate of 5.6%.
The percentage increased by 0.4% compared to last week, along with a 2% decrease in testing.
A total of 212,618 people in Belgium have received the first dose of their vaccinations, or 2.31% of the population aged 18 and older. In addition, 683 people have received their second dose.
The reproduction rate, finally, stands at 1.01, 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
