17 December 2020: The corona figures color red again…

17 December 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic – An increasing number of people are testing positive for Covid-19 in Belgium. Across the country cases are up 8% on the week. Nevertheless, virologists continue to believe that following the existing rules religiously could be enough to swing the trend. The question is, will the upcoming Xmas break proof that our soft lockdown can turn the tide? All will depend on our willingness to stay at home and limit our contacts as much as possible during the holidays?  Net-net, next week will be crucial to avoid a third wave of increased infections. Whilst we’re anxiously monitoring the number of daily infection the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that it would decide on the approval of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine on 21 December. That is a week earlier than initially planned. That means that the European Commission will be able to issue its conditional marketing authorisation in the EU around Christmas.On display today is another extract of the Xmas decoration in the city center of Ghent – Emile Braunplein, Ghent, Belgium