Belgium faces pivotal week as virus weighs on hospitals

Authorities warned Monday that Belgium faces a pivotal week in its struggle to limit spre of coronavirus, as a series of new restrictions entered force in one of European countries hardest hit by pandemic.

Almost 12,500 new cases are being reported on aver every 24 hours, figures released Monday for week from Oct. 16-22 showed, compared to around 5,000 a day two weeks ago. About one person in every five who is tested turns out to be positive. very elderly are hardest hit.

On aver over last week, 42 people died from virus each day, bringing death toll to 10,810 in a country with a population of around 11.5 million people.

Pressure is building on Belgium’s hospitals, where 467 people are being mitted on aver each day, a rise of 85%. Almost 5,000 people are currently in hospitals, more than 750 of m in intensive care, according to latest data.

“What we do w, what we will do in next two weeks, will be decisive,” said Yves Van Laem, a spokesman for Belgium’s COVID-19 crisis center. If figures don’t change, he said, “we are likely to reach 2,000 patients in intensive care in two weeks. That is, our maximum capacity.”

New measures anunced by Belgium’s federal government entered force Monday, but tightening of restrictions until v. 19, mainly on cultural and sports sectors, were considered inequate by two of Belgium’s three regions.

French-speaking region of Wallonia and Brussels capital region extended a night-time curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In Brussels, masks must be worn outdoors at all times, while cinemas, aters and sports centers were ordered to close. People must work from home when possible.

Fears about a return to a full lockdown are rife.

“Things are evolving every day. It’s t impossible that in a few days I assemble Walloon government to take extra measures. I don’t kw for sure yet, but I can’t rule it out,” Wallonia Minister-President Elio Di Rupo told state brocaster RTBF.

“We’re trying to find a balance,” Di Rupo said. “’We don’t want to shut down society altoger.”

Next week’s school vacation has been extended, with high school students in Wallonia and Brussels working from home as of this Wednesday. Students in Flanders will have two extra days off after what rmally would have been end of vacation period.

Van Laem urged people take some time out with ir children, walk in forest, go shopping w and n -- but only alone as rules in some parts of country require — start on some DYI projects at home or listen to ir favorite music.

“You don’t have to live like monks,” he said, but “it’s w or never to discover your personal pause button.”