Faced with the increase in indicators of the virus, several personalities are reacting and warning against a fourth wave. For Elio Di Rupo, “we underestimate the danger of the virus”.
By Editorial staff with Belga
SAccording to figures from the Sciensano Public Health Institute published on Thursday, between October 11 and 17, an average of 3,249 people were infected with covid every day. This is an increase of 53% from the previous week. In terms of daily hospital admissions, there is also an increase of 53%. In total, 997 infected people are hospitalized (+ 27%), including 240 treated in intensive care (+ 19%). As for deaths, they are also on the rise with nearly 12 people dying per day on average.
Frank Vandenbroucke’s fears
Faced with the increase in these indicators, several politicians and experts are reacting and warning against a fourth wave. This is the case in particular of Frank Vandenbroucke, Federal Minister of Health (Vooruit) who expressed his fears on Wednesday evening on Canvas. “We will all have to stick together to contain the fourth wave of the covid pandemic,” he said.
Frank Vandenbroucke said he expected a sharp increase in the number of infections and a sharp rise in hospital admissions in the coming days. There is no reason to panic, he says, but the numbers should serve as a wake-up call. “We have to use whatever we have at our disposal. This is to strengthen vaccination, there are still municipalities where vaccination coverage is low, but also to wear the mask. “
The Federal Minister of Health has also asked the Flemish government to be ready to authorize the mayors of the municipalities in the north of the country who so wish to resort to a more extensive use of the CST.
Minister Vandenbroucke hopes that the House will give the green light before Christmas to his bill to make vaccination compulsory in health care, under penalty of sanction. The text has yet to pass on the government table but, according to the Socialist Deputy Prime Minister, it is unacceptable that a person who works with the sick or the vulnerable elderly refuses to be vaccinated.
“We underestimate the danger of the virus”
Thursday morning, it was the turn of the Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo, to speak on Call RTL and comment on the virus indicators. For the socialist, “we underestimate the danger of the virus”. He also said he shared the fears of the Minister of Health. “I share what the Federal Minister of Health said,” said Elio Di Rupo.
A few days ago, Emmanuel André also warned about the possibility of a rise in the figures in the coming days. Indeed, entering the winter period greatly favors the development and transmission of viruses. “Nothing rocket science: it’s cold, so we meet inside and close the windows. These small everyday details have, as we know, an impact, ”he explained.
“The partial reduction in the risk of transmission offered by the vaccine cannot fully compensate for the increased risk of transmission associated with our more intense social activities indoors. He continues. The microbiologist also warns of the possibility of a new adaptation of the rules of “living together” within a few weeks.
Consultation committee
For Marc Van Ranst, abandoning the federal phase now is premature. “We will have to wait and see how this translates into hospitals and intensive care units,” said the virologist. Indeed, a consultation committee is scheduled for next week. “By then, we should have some idea of the direction to take.” Marc Van Ranst therefore recommends waiting to understand where the current rising figures will take us. In addition, it will be necessary to assess the proportion of vaccinated people who will end up in the hospital. “With the vaccination campaign that we have carried out, this should represent a very low proportion of people vaccinated. Today, it is too early to draw any conclusions. “
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