The number of new hospitalizations for COVID-19 increased for the period from February 9 to 15 compared to the previous 7 days (+30 percent), 615 new patients were hospitalized for COVID-19, and 538 patients were admitted for other reasons , but tested positive.
The number of occupied beds in intensive care has further decreased (-21 percent, a total of 34 patients with COVID-19). The lowest number since the summer of 2020. The total number of occupied beds has increased by 245, while the number of occupied beds in intensive care has decreased by 9. There are still few seriously ill people due to the corona virus. Most people have been vaccinated several times or have been infected before, so they are often well protected.
COVID-19 mortality has further increased slightly. The 38 reported deaths (27 in Flanders, 4 in Wallonia and 7 in Brussels) mainly occurred in hospital. Week 4 showed no statistically significant excess mortality. At a regional level, there was one day with a statistically significant excess mortality, mainly among women aged 65 to 84 in Flanders.
The number of tests performed has increased slightly, with an average of 5,704 tests per day. The positivity ratio also increased further (17.4 percent). The virus load detected in the waste water continues to rise.