The number of new coronavirus infections reported in Belgium continues to drop significantly ahead of today's Consultative Committee, which could result in the lifting of certain restrictions.
Between 1 and 7 February, an average of 23,239 new coronavirus infections were identified every day — a 44% decrease on the previous seven days, according to the figures published by the Sciensano Public Health Institute on Friday morning. The Omicron variant currently accounts for 87.9% of all cases in Belgium.
The average number of PCR tests taken per day in the same period decreased by 32% to 72,475.6. The positivity rate dropped after reaching a record-high and now sits at 37.6%, meaning just under 38 out of 100 tests that are taken have a positive result.
Despite the improvement in most major indicators, the number of people dying as a result of the virus is continuing to increase. Between 1 and 7 February, an average of 43.1 Covid-19 patients died per day, up by 29% since last week.
The highest increase in this number was recorded among people aged over 85, as infections are spreading most rapidly within this age category, both in and outside of residential care centres.
Total deaths in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic amount to 29,563. On Friday last week, 60 deaths were recorded in one day, the highest number since the end of November last year.
Situation in Belgian hospitals
Between 4 and 10 February, an average of 297.7 patients suffering from Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals per day – a decrease of 18% on the seven days previous.
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.
On Thursday, a total of 3,925 people were in Belgian hospitals due to an infection, 166 fewer than on Wednesday. This number covers all patients who tested positive for Covid-19, including those who were first admitted with a different condition.
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The number of patients in a life-threatening condition increased slightly during the weekend but has once again dropped. Currently, 403 people are being treated in intensive care (-27), while 185 (-4) patients are on a ventilator.
Virologist Steven Van Gucht said the ICU occupancy in the country is expected to start falling over the course of this month. Once this has happened, the government can look at relaxing measures following the coronavirus barometer rules.
An advisory report given to the Government by Corona Commissioner Pedro Facon, and seen by Het Nieuwsblad, stated that code orange is recommended only from next week Friday, 18 February, if the decreasing trend in the figures continues.
90% of adults vaccinated
A UK analysis found that the risk of hospitalisation is lower for Omicron cases after both two and three doses of vaccine, with a 77% to 85% reduction in the risk of hospitalisation after three doses compared to unvaccinated people who are infected with the Omicron variant.
As of Wednesday, almost 8.94 million people are fully vaccinated – 90% of Belgium's adult population and 78% of the total population.
Meanwhile, more than 6.74 million people have received a booster dose of a coronavirus vaccine, representing 72% of over-18s and 59% of the entire population. The majority of adults should have had the opportunity to get a booster dose by March 2022.
The reproduction rate (Rt) currently sits at 0.86. This figure represents the average number of people that contract the virus from each infected person, and when it is above 1, it means that the epidemic is gaining ground in Belgium.
The incidence (the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants) is continuing to decrease and now sits at 3,950 over the past 14 days.
