23 April 2020 Update from A Locked Down Ghent

A further 266 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported yesterday. This brings the total number of deaths from the virus to 6,262. Just over half of COVID-19 deaths in Belgium have been in care homes. 263 new COVID-19 patients were admited to hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, 432 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospital. There are currently 4,765 people receiving treatment for COVID-19 in Belgian hospitals. This is down around 20% on the peak of 6,012 patients that was recorded on 6 April. Yesterday’s biggest news were talks about the partially reopening of the schools as of 15 May and the proposal from the experts to relax the corona measure that leaked in advance of the government’s address next Friday. If the government follows the experts’ proposals a number of types of shop could reopen as early as 4 May, if certain conditions are met. Under the proposals visits to family and close friends could once again become possible.  Groups would be limited to ten people tops and you would always have to visit the same people. Too me it seems that the latter is impossible to manage and/or control and therefore will create a lot of controversy. I guess we will need to wait until Friday to know more. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy – Hoogpoort, Ghent, Belgium