The number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations as a result of the virus recorded every day in Belgium continues to decline after weeks of being on the up again. Yet the number of deaths following an infection remains relatively high.
Between 19 and 25 July, an average of 4,071 new daily Covid-19 infections was identified: a 35% decrease from the previous seven days, according to figures published by the Sciensano Institute of Public Health on Friday morning.
The average number of tests taken per day has dropped to around 13,800. The positivity rate remains high compared to one month ago and sits at 32.2%, meaning almost one in three tests has a positive result.
Omicron BA.5 remains the dominant strain, accounting for 76.3% of all infections. The strain is said to be no more or less infectious than the other Omicron subvariants but it does succeed very well in circumventing people’s accumulated immunity. The original Omicron strain accounts for 16.5%.
While other major indicators have started dropping, deaths as a result of infection remain relatively high: almost 13 Covid-19 patients died each day over the past seven days – up by 14% from the previous week.
The total number of deaths in Belgium since the start of the pandemic amounts to 32,228. However, this figure includes people who died of another cause but who happened to be infected, meaning that this is an overestimate of deaths attributed to Covid-19.
Situation in Belgian hospitals
In the last seven days, an average of 150.1 patients suffering from Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals each day — a 7% decrease from the previous seven days.
The figure, which in June usually sat around 50, reflects how many people are hospitalised directly because of the virus, not those admitted with another condition and then also test positive for Covid-19.
Credit: Belga
On Thursday, a total of 2,000 people were in Belgian hospitals due to an infection, almost 60 fewer than on Thursday, while the number of people being treated in intensive care sits at 101, around 20 fewer than last week.
This number covers all patients who tested positive for Covid-19, including those who were first admitted with a different condition
Reproduction rate, incidence, and total vaccinations
The reproduction rate once again increased to 0.94. This figure represents the average number of people that contract the virus from each infected person. When it is below 1, it means that the epidemic is slowing down in Belgium.
The incidence (the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants) has dropped by almost 200 since two weeks ago and sits at 623 over the past 14 days.
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As of Tuesday, more than 9.09 million people are fully vaccinated – 89% of Belgium's adult population and 78% of the total population. This figure was higher, but since the end of June, this figure takes into account vaccinated people who died.
Meanwhile, almost 7.19 million people have received a booster dose of the vaccine, representing 76% of over-18s and 62% of the entire population. From September onwards, an additional booster will be available to a larger group of the population. Find out if you are eligible here.
