The milestone of an average of 100 new infections per day has been reached. In fact, the average increases for the ninth day in a row, and this time by no less than 32 percent. The number of hospital admissions remains stable, the number of deaths is still falling for the time being.
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Hearth in Heusden-Zolder: six infections at an engagement party
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On average, 114.7 new infections are diagnosed in our country every day. This is evident from the new figures from Sciensano. That’s a solid 32 percent increase over the previous seven-day period. On July 13, no fewer than 216 infections were registered in one day.
The increase also occurs in all provinces and in all age categories.
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The downward trend that ended before the infections was still visible in the average number of hospital admissions (-13 percent) and deaths (-45 percent).
Van Ranst: “Start of a second wave”
“This is not good.” Virologist Marc Van Ranst sees the sharp rise in the average number of new infections per day – 32 percent – the start of a second wave. “This is an absolute wake-up call, we have to get started,” he says on Radio 1.
The corona virus has been gaining momentum in our country in recent days. The daily number of new infections easily exceeds 100, so the average number of new cases also rises sharply. Compared to Thursday’s average, we see an increase of 32 percent on Friday. An average of 114.7 new infections are now diagnosed every day.
“It has been months since we had so many new infections,” says virologist Marc Van Ranst on Radio 1. “The average will certainly continue to rise in the coming days. I think we should be concerned about this. This is an absolute wake-up call. Everyone should keep their distance, wear face masks and limit the number of social contacts. The rule of 15 people a week is therefore there. Many people don’t stick to it, but it is necessary. We also see people returning from holidays, so we really have to get started. ”
Nor is it good news that daily hospital admissions no longer decrease. There is talk of a stabilization. “That worries me,” says Van Ranst. “It is likely that it will also rise. I expect that in the coming weeks. ” The increase in the number of infections is now also visible in all age groups and in all provinces. “This is not one hotspot, there are several. With these numbers you have to say that you are at the beginning of a second wave. ”
So we should not expect any easing next week. “It is not there.” He talks earlier about possible tensions in the future, but it is not yet that far. He does not consider a second lockdown immediately. “That is difficult to organize without the economic damage becoming enormous, so we will have to be very creative with it.”
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