We must remain vigilant, as COVID-19 cases across Belgium are on rise: Vlieghe

In Belgium, the cases of the COVID-19 variant show an upward trend. The majority of the rules and regulations have been relaxed, but the infectious disease expert and chair of the GEMS expert group Erike Vlieghe has warned the individuals about the situation and mentioned following the restrictions.

She mentioned during an interview, “Within the Risk Assessment Group (RAG), we look at some 50 parameters. Intensive care is still spared, but many other things worry us. The number of net hospitalisations remains rather high, but we also see more outbreaks in hospitals.”

“The number of cases is indeed increasing, in Flanders definitely due to the increased contacts. And especially the number of cases among people over 65 is increasing. That worries us.”

Along with this, for her, the individuals have started thinking that the pandemic is entirely over a lot too soon. “I do not want to hear about the term’ realm of freedom’ anymore. Although things are going much better, it is much more about realising that we have to remain careful, especially with our vulnerable people.”

Moreover, Vlieghe further mentions that the nation is not doing as well as it did at the end of the year celebrations, when the individuals still made arrangements to meet outside, did self-tests and more.

She further mentioned, “We seem to have to seem unremembered that there is still a lot of virus circulation. Meet up outside, test yourself before visiting your grandmother and keep ventilating indoor spaces.”

“I realise that the current energy prices obviously do not help with that, but hopefully, the better weather in the near future can help.”