9 May 2020 Update from A Locked Down Ghent

Yesterday we saw a further fall in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Still, 107 deaths from COVID-19 were reported, bringing total number of deaths to 8,521. It is guesstimated that 6% of the population has antibodies against the virus, therefore, “herd immunity” won’t provide a way out of the current public health crisis. In addition, it is far from certain as to whether those that have had the virus are immune and there is still no certainty about the length of immunity. A solution will have to be found elsewhere. This together with a relaxation of the lockdown measures and a drop of public support to adhere to the new guidelines makes us concerned for a resurgence of the infection. Despite all of this, I decided to cheer me up with a composition of some happy faces -  Neuseplein, Ghent, Belgium.