An average of more than 5,000 additional people tested positive for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) per day over the past week in Belgium, while the number of new infections has doubled compared to the week before, according to Sciensano’s latest figures on Wednesday.
Over the 7-day period from 4 to 10 October, an average of 5,057 new people tested positive per day, which is an increase of 93% compared to the week before. On Friday, more than 7,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 on the same day.
A total of 35,939 new cases were recorded during the week from 4 to 10 October, almost double the number of the week before, when 18,862 new cases were confirmed.
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The total number of confirmed cases in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic is 173,240. 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, 467.8 infections were confirmed per 100,000 inhabitants, an increase of 154% compared to the two weeks before.
Additionally, 152 new hospitalisations per day were recorded on average between 7 and 13 October, up from 117.9 per day the week before.
In total, 1,621 coronavirus patients are currently in hospital, which is 149 more than yesterday. Of those patients, 281 are in intensive care, 14 more than yesterday. Patients on a ventilator number 142 – 16 more than yesterday.
Over the week from 7 to 13 October, an average number of 18 deaths occurred per day, up from the average of 14.8 the week before.
The total number of deaths in the country since the beginning of the pandemic is currently 10,244 – 33 more than yesterday.
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of over 3.8 million tests have been carried out. Of those tests, about 42,100 were taken over the past week, with a positivity rate of 11.7%.
This means that, out of every ten people who get tested for Covid-19, more than one person gets a positive result. The percentage went up from 9.8% last week, meaning that even though more tests are being carried out – which naturally results in more confirmed infections – the epidemic is still growing.
Belgium’s reproduction number (Rt) is currently 1.45, according to Sciensano’s figures. This means that, across the country, one infected person infects more than one other person on average.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
