15 May 2021: The number of COVID-19 patients in Belgian hospitals falls below 2,000

15 May 2021: The latest figures on the coronavirus pandemic in Belgium show falls in the number of hospitalisations and the number of people testing positive for the virus. During the week from 5 to 11May an average of 2,750 people tested positive for coronavirus each day, a fall of 7% on the previous week. There are 647 patients being treated in intensive care for Covid-19 and a total of 1,921 people are hospitalised with a coronavirus infection. The reproduction number increased to 0.94. On Wednesday 12 May (the latest date for which figures are available) 41% of the adult population had received their first shot of the coronavirus vaccine. In the US around 36% of the population is now fully vaccinated and the Biden administration announced last Thursday that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. The decision most likely is aimed at giving the vaccination campaign, which has been slowing down in the US, an extra boost. With only 10% of the Belgian population being fully immunized against the virus the situation remains too fragile to even contemplate to abandon the use of face masks. On display today is another skyline vista of Ghent from the Museum of Industry – Ghent, Belgium