Between March 6 and March 12, 8,075 new coronavirus contaminations were detected on average per day, an increase of 30% compared to the previous week. Should we be worried about this increase? According to Marc Ranst, these figures are below reality since fewer and fewer people are systematically tested. “It’s clearly another wave(letter) coming. Fortunately, the number of intensive care patients continues to fall, as does the number of deaths. But the fact that the number of hospital admissions and the number of people hospitalized is increasing remains an element to be monitored”explique-t-il à nos confrères du The Latest News.
A further tightening of health rules is not on the agenda, however, according to the virologist. “I don’t think anyone is advocating that at the moment. It would also be very difficult socially and would lead to a lot of frustration among the population. However, one can always remain cautious and continue to respect safety distances, for example “, he advises. Marc Van Ranst is even rather optimistic since he considers that the figures will not continue to increase indefinitely. “The curve will depend on how we behave“, he outbid.
Finally, a fourth dose of the vaccine has started to be administered to those most at risk in Belgium. Marc Van Ranst does not think politicians will decide to extend this new booster dose to the rest of the population if the health situation remains unchanged. “However, they look at what is happening in other countries”he concluded.