The average number of new Covid-19 cases being recorded on a daily basis in Belgium has decreased to around 6,000, while the number of new hospitalisations has dropped below 200.
Between 12 and 18 April, an average of 6,011 new Covid-19 infections were identified every day, a 30% decrease from the seven days previous, according to the figures published by the Sciensano Public Health Institute on Friday morning.
The highly transmissible Omicron variant, Omicron BA.2, is now accounting for just 83% of all cases.
In the same period, the average number of PCR tests taken per day declined by 30% to 21,221. The positivity rate now sits at 33.2%, meaning around one-third of all tests have a positive result.
During the same week, an average of 22.9 Covid-19 patients died on a daily basis, down by 4% from the previous week. The total number of deaths in Belgium since the start of the pandemic amounts to 31,319.
This figure also includes people who died of another cause of death, but who happened to be infected, meaning they are an overestimate of the deaths caused by the virus.
Situation in hospitals
Between 15 and 21 April, an average of 187.9 patients suffering from Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals each day – a decrease of 16% on the seven days previous.
This number reflects how many people are hospitalised directly because of the virus, not those who are admitted with another condition and then test positive for Covid-19.
Credit: Belga
On Thursday, a total of 2,950 people were in Belgian hospitals due to an infection, 120 fewer than on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the number of people being treated in intensive care dropped to 154 (-15).
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 (Rt) has plummeted to 0.88. 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 to 887 over the past 14 days.
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As of Tuesday, more than 9.13 million people are fully vaccinated – 89% of Belgium's adult population and 79% of the total population.
Meanwhile, more than 7.12 million people have received a booster dose of a coronavirus vaccine, representing 75% of over-18s and 62% of the entire population.
The frequency of Sciensano's update on the epidemiological situation has been adjusted. Although it will "continue to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation in the country," it will only publish an update twice a week – on Tuesday and Friday – rather than on a daily basis.
