The number of new coronavirus infections in Belgium is continuing to increase, but at a much slower rate than was seen during the past weeks.
Between 21 and 27 January, an average of 50,018 Covid-19 infections were recorded each day, a 13% increase compared to the previous week, according to preliminary figures from the Sciensano Health Insitute, distributed by the cabinet of Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke.
During the same week, 834,246 tests were carried out in Belgium of which 384,882 had a positive result. The positivity ratio in that period was 46.14%, which means that almost half of all tests were positive.
Between 19 and 25 January, an average of 25.3 people died each day due to Covid-19. In total, there have already been 28,957 deaths as a result of the virus in Belgium.
During this same period, the reproduction rate (Rt) was 1.18, an 18% decrease since the previous week. If this number is above 1, it means that the virus is gaining ground in the country.
Increase in ICU cases
Between 21 and 30 January, an average of 360 patients with the coronavirus were admitted to hospitals each day.
This number reflects how many people end up in hospital specifically because of the virus, not people who end up in hospital with another condition and then test positive for the coronavirus.
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On Sunday, 3,840 Covid-19 patients were being treated in hospital – 88 more than on Saturday. This number does include all patients who tested positive for Covid-19, including those who were first admitted with a different condition.
The number of people in intensive care has slightly increased to 387.
Meanwhile, as of Thursday (the last available data), more than 8.85 million people have been fully vaccinated, which equated to 77% of the total population and 89% of over-18s.
Around 6.46 million people have received a booster dose, the equivalent of 56% of the entire population, and 70% of all adults in Belgium.
Sciensano does not publish an update of the figures on its dashboard on Sunday and Monday, meaning some figures are not yet consolidated. A full update of the official figures will be published on Tuesday morning.
