8 February 2021: Corona restrictions won’t be relaxed as long as the figures remain at current levels…

8 February 2021: In the week to 4 February on average 2,312 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 1% on the week. In the week to 6 February an average of 123 people with COVID-19 were admitted to Belgian hospitals each day. This is a rise of 3% on the week, however, for the first time since 13 October 2020 the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen below 300. So far, we’ve been able to avoid a third wave in Belgium, but we cannot say that that the fall in the corona figures is really continuing. Therefore, the government will not consider any relaxation of the measures currently in place to curb the spread of the virus before all over 65s and young people with chronic conditions are vaccinated. When this will happen will largely depend on the availability of vaccines. In that respect The New York Times reported some worrying news. South Africa has halted the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine after evidence emerged that the vaccine did not protect clinical-trial participants from mild or moderate illness caused by the more contagious virus variant that was first seen there. If this news is confirmed – these results have not been peer reviewed published - I’m wondering what impact this may have on the worldwide vaccination efforts. Anyway, let’s hope that we’ll soon get some good news from the EMA on the CureVac and J&J vaccine. On yesterday’s corona walk I came across this merrymaker who started promoting his own vaccine in anticipation of carnival – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium.