The average number of new coronavirus recorded in Belgium is continuing its rapid decline, while hospitalisation figures are also showing signs of improvement.
Between 29 January and 4 February, an average of 28,815 new coronavirus infections were identified every day — a 40% decrease on the previous seven days, according to the figures published by the Sciensano Public Health Institute on Tuesday morning.
The Omicron variant has almost completed eradicated the Delta variant in Belgium, as it now accounts for 99% of all cases.
The average number of PCR tests taken per day in the same period decreased significantly (-29%) to 81,950.4. The positivity rate has dropped after reaching a record-high level and now sits at 40.5%, meaning around 40 out of 100 tests that are taken have a positive result.
During the same week, an average of 37 Covid-19 patients died per day, up by 25% since last week. Total deaths in Belgium since the beginning of the pandemic amount to 29,337.
Situation in Belgian hospitals
Between 1 and 7 February, an average of 342.9 patients suffering from Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals per day — a decrease of 6% 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 Monday, a total of 4,329 people were in Belgian hospitals due to an infection, 188 more than on Sunday. Following the weekend there is usually an increase in the number of new hospitalisations as fewer people go to the doctor or hospital during the weekend.
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. Currently, 442 people are being treated in intensive care (+13), while 192 (+15) patients are on a ventilator.
However, virologist Steven Van Gucht sait 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.
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 Thursday, more than 8.88 million people are fully vaccinated — 90% of Belgium's adult population and 77% of the total population. These figures were not updated as usual on Tuesday morning due to a technical issue.
Meanwhile, more than 6.64 million people have received a booster dose of a coronavirus vaccine, representing 71% of over-18s and 58% 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) between 26 January and 1 February was 0.98. 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) now sits at 4,662 over the past 14 days.
