3 March 2021: We’re still in choppy waters…

3 March 2021: Although the number of people testing positive for coronavirus is still increasing the pace of the increase continues to slow. In the week to 27 February on average 2393 people tested positive each day. This figure is up 9% on the week. At the same time we are receiving disturbing signals from the hospitals with a continued increase in the number of beds occupied by COVID patients both on standard care and intensive care wards. There is also some good news; there are fewer and fewer patients from care homes. Here the impact of the vaccination campaign is clearly leaving its mark. Talking about the vaccination campaign… Whilst President Biden announced that there would be enough doses of the coronavirus vaccine available for the entire adult population in the United States by the end of May, we in Belgium are still struggling with a shortage of vaccines and suboptimal processes to ensure that the available vaccines are administered in a timely manner. Yesterday the Belgium Superior Health Council finally confirmed that the previous age limit of 55 years old for AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine can be lifted. The Council is now also allowing more time between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Let’s hope that both decisions will boost the vaccination campaign in Belgium. Meanwhile, we will need to remain vigilant by wearing face masks, social distancing and limiting our social contacts to an absolute minimum. On display is how an afternoon at the local park looks like during these unprecedented crises – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium.