After the alert level for respiratory diseases in Belgium was raised to code orange following a spike in Covid-19 infections, the authorities decided to lower the management level of respiratory infections back to code yellow on Thursday.
As Belgium has moved past the peak in respiratory diseases such as Covid-19, flu, regular colds, and RSV, the authorities monitoring the various health risks decided to lower the alert level.
"We are currently observing a reduction in respiratory tract infections and reduced pressure on the health system," the Belgian health authorities said.
In practice, this means that the recommendations for the general population remain respecting the basic hygiene measures to protect the most vulnerable, such as washing your hands regularly, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, ventilating indoor spaces, staying at home when sick and wearing a surgical mask during contact with others when showing symptoms.
Healthcare staff may also ask patients or vulnerable people (especially those over 65 years old, those at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic and acute lung disease, cancer, obesity, chronic renal failure and a weak immune system) to wear a face mask when they are experiencing symptoms.
