The result of the first test on a sample of wastewater from a Chinese flight that landed at Zaventem is known. “It is moderately positive for corona, which means that there is very little virus in the sample. That makes it difficult to perform the variant determination on the sample, but we are going to try it anyway,” says the Rega Institute.
This also seems to be difficult due to a lack of excrement in the water. “We’ll see if anything pops up. Anything that is not omikron is worrying, as that would be new here,” says Elke Wollants, lab manager at the Rega Institute.
After all, the sample that was examined was thinner than the researchers had expected, explains Wollants. “We wanted a thicker substance, a real stool sample. Now it was mainly water with some dirt in it, which we thought we would not find anything in.” The fact that the sample tested positive means that some people on the plane were infected with corona. The sample also tested negative for RSV and influenza.
Wollants does not know why the steel was not of the desired nature. However, the service that takes the sample has been asked to improve this in the future. “We have to keep an eye on it,” concludes Wollants. “Very likely it is nothing, but then we can reassure the population.”
‘Don’t panic’
According to Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), we should not panic because of the situation in China and it is especially important to continue to vaccinate. “But in addition, the main objective is to find out quickly whether a new variant might emerge in China,” he said earlier this week. That is why he announced that waste water from aircraft from China landing in Belgium will be tested. In addition, anyone who shows corona symptoms following a stay in China must always get tested with a test that can detect variants.
The idea of testing wastewater came over from the United States. Testing the wastewater from international aircraft is a better way to detect the virus than having people take a PCR test upon arrival, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With serious doubts over China’s transparency on coronavirus data, these tests might provide a clearer picture of how the virus mutates. “We think this is something that all European countries should do,” Vandenbroucke said Monday night.
Vandenbroucke wants to use testing sparingly, given the cost price. That is why people who show corona symptoms following a recent stay in China should be tested. This then covers a period of seven days before becoming ill. These tests can be administered by pharmacists and healthcare providers.
It is important that the tests used can also detect variants. There is a fear that the massive spread of the corona virus in China will lead to new, dangerous variants that will be brought to Belgium by plane.
China reopens borders to foreigners
China will reopen its borders to foreigners on Sunday. After years of restrictions and strict quarantine rules, it is becoming easier to travel to China. However, it may take months before the number of travelers returns to normal levels, if only because the number of international flights from China remains limited to 10 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period. Tickets for those flights are also very expensive.
The Chinese authorities also want to resume issuing and renewing passports, but primarily for business and study trips. The Chinese embassies are also being asked to give priority to visas for business and study trips and for family visits.
One of the most important adjustments is that the strict quarantine rules for travelers will disappear. Previously, people traveling to China sometimes had to spend up to three weeks in quarantine in a hotel room. Anyone wishing to enter China must still be able to present a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours before departure. It is no longer necessary to apply for an entry permit at the embassy.