For the first time in weeks, the number of corona cases and hospital admissions for Covid-19 is falling again. This is evident from the latest figures from health institute Sciensano on Friday. “I think we’ve had the top of the tenth wave,” says virologist Steven Van Gucht.
In the period from 16 to 22 March, the number of hospital admissions for Covid-19 decreased by 15 percent. At the moment, 2,149 patients are still in Belgian hospitals with or because of Covid-19. The number of beds occupied by corona patients in intensive care has also decreased (-11 percent).
An average of 1,601 infections every day
In the week of March 13 to 19, an average of 1,601 corona infections were registered daily. That is a decrease of 9 percent compared to the previous week. The reproduction rate also dips below 1 (0.95), meaning the epidemic is losing momentum.
Only the number of deaths from Covid-19 went up recently, from an average of 9 per day to 11. “That death rate is always the last thing to fall”, Steven Van Gucht reassures. “We can assume that the numbers will now gradually continue to fall.” The pressure on healthcare remained limited during the tenth wave.
Flu again below epidemic threshold
On Wednesday it was already known that the number of GP consultations for flu in the week from 13 to 19 March fell below the epidemic threshold again. That does not yet mean the end of the flu epidemic: the indicator must remain below the threshold for two weeks.
The flu has been erratic this winter. The flu season started earlier in December, with the highest peak in late December and a second peak in February. In recent weeks, the number of cases first fell below the threshold, then above it again and now just below it again.
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