The number of Covid-19 infections in Belgium has been rising sharply in recent weeks due to the latest 'FLiRT' variants, with over 15% of tests now showing a positive result. Virologist Steven Van Gucht calls it "an exceptional little summer wave."
While the percentage of positive Covid-19 tests rose to 15.3% in the period from 16 to 22 June (up from 1-2% two months ago), the end of the school year and the long-awaited warmer weather will mitigate the number of cases, Van Gucht told Het Laatste Nieuws.
"This is nothing to worry about. While the percentage of positive tests is relatively high, in absolute numbers the cases are low and the impact on hospitals remains very limited," he said. "But we are seeing an increase in the number of infections in recent weeks and this has not yet stabilised. We are waiting for a decrease."
It concerns Covid-19 tests carried out on hospital patients, among others, when they are suspected of being infected. Several months ago, it was exceptional to find a positive test, but they are now more common.
FLiRT variants
Still, Van Gucht stressed that this is not a problematic situation and compared the number of cases to the November-December period. During this time, there was a wave with 35 cases of Covid-19 per 10,000 inhabitants. Now, it is seven per 10,000.
It is not only the bad weather of the past few weeks that plays into the hands of the virus, as variants that affect people's immunity more easily are circulating as well – called 'FLiRT' variants.
FLiRT is an acronym pointing to the mutations that are now dominant (FP2 and FP3), Van Gucht explained. "They are descendants of JN1, the Omicron variant that caused a spike in November and December last year."
"They are variants with two extra mutations. This is not groundbreaking in itself. But those mutations are in places where the antibodies bind. Many people have since built up immunity to JN1," he said. "The new FLiRT variants may escape our immunity slightly better due to those two mutations and give the virus just enough extra clout to cause this little summer wave."
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The symptoms appear to be the same as with the previous variants: coughing, a blocked nose, headache, muscle pain, nausea or vomiting and exhaustion.
While the Covid-19 peak comes right at the beginning of the festival and party season, Van Gucht added that there is no need to be extra careful. "Unless you have really fragile health or are very susceptible to infections."
