The respite was only short-lived. After several weeks of lull, the figures start to rise once more in Belgium . On average, during these last seven days, 10,126 contaminations were recorded daily, on December 30 recording a strong increase of 52% in this average. This significant rise in infections has been attributed by experts to the rise of the Omicron variant in our country. This new strain of the coronavirus has been dominant in Belgian territory since December 25. But, despite the trends going in the wrong direction, Marc Van Ranst wanted to be reassuring, this Monday, January 3, at the microphone of VTM. “I think we can be more and more optimistic regarding this,” he commented.
According to the KULeuven virologist, the problem we are going to face concerns more a “wave of absences” than a “wave of hospitalizations”, given the latest data communicated regarding the Omicron variant. This is why he in turn considered that a change in quarantine rules might be considered . “When the clinical severity of an illness is less, we can alleviate the draconian measures”, he postulated, giving the example of quarantine and isolation. “We may be taking a risk epidemiologically, but I think that risk can be controlled.”
Caution is in order
This adapted quarantine regime is discussed this Monday by the ministers of health. A newConsultation committeeis also being held this week. However, it is not necessarynot expect any major easing at the meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 6,according to Marc Van Ranst. “We are in the ascending phase of the curve, so we cannot afford a lot of things. It is better to wait,” continued the expert at the microphone of VTM.
Finally, he confirmed that schools may have to reopen their doors at the start of the school year, provided that the health rules – including the wearing of masks and ventilation – are strictly observed in these establishments.
