© Sven Dillen
Virologist Steven Van Gucht calls for postponing visits or meetings with babies, given the intense circulation of the RSV virus. Combined with a rising number of COVID infections, the strong rise of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in infants is putting increasing pressure on the healthcare sector.
Bron: BELGIAN
Several pediatric hospitals have already sounded the alarm in recent days about the increasing number of babies and children with acute respiratory infections. According to Sciensano, the phenomenon occurs annually, but it is important to be extra careful, given that the number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 is also on the rise again.
“Good winter habits can make a big difference now. Think of clean hands, good ventilation, stay at home if you are ill or wear a mask if you have mild complaints, wear a mask on public transport and make sure you are up to date with your COVID and flu vaccination,” says Steven Van Gucht. The number of flu infections is also expected to increase in the coming weeks, putting pressure on the healthcare system again.
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The figures prove that COVID-19 is currently on the rise again. The number of infections has increased by 28 percent on a weekly basis to an average of 963 per day. The reproduction number is also above 1 at 1.22, which means that the epidemic is gaining momentum. The number of deaths remains stable at an average of 4 per day.
Between 24 and 30 November, an average of 70 new hospital admissions were also reported daily, an increase of 36 percent. There are currently 957 COVID patients in hospital (+30 percent), of whom 48 require intensive care (+4 percent).
In total, more than 3.8 million Belgians have now received a second booster shot, which corresponds to 41 percent of the adult Belgian population. It amounts to nearly 72 percent of 65-84 year-olds, and nearly 71 percent of those aged 85 and over. About 11,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 now also received a second booster.
READ ALSO. Hospitals are under pressure due to the high number of RSV patients: for whom is it dangerous and when should you intervene?