Coronavirus outbreak pushes Belgium to witness 'deadliest April' since WW II

As coronavirus outbreak continues to tighten its grip even months after it was first discovered, a new study has revealed that COVID-19 pandemic has brought deliest April for Belgium since World War II. country has w begun to ease some of its restrictions imposed to curb furr spre of vel virus after recording 55,559 cases of disease and 9,080 deaths. research by Vrije Universiteit Brussel states that 14,790 people have died in country last month, which is also highest mortality rate that country witnessed since Nazi occupation in 1940s.

April is kwn to record a fall in Belgium’s death rate as wear soos down to spring after a harsh winter. VUB said in statement that mortality in Belgium is “exceptionally high, reaching unprecedented levels” especially in first week of April, that is from April 1 to April 12. According to university, on April 10, country recorded at least 639 deaths which is “more than double number that would have been expected for that day”. 

statement said, “April 2020 was deliest April since Second World War, both in absolute numbers and per capita.”

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Ar observation me by researchers at Brussels university states that registration of deaths due to coronavirus infections is “almost completely equivalent to measures excess mortality”. refore, hike in mortality of country “can be fully attributed” to COVID-19 pandemic according to VUB. re have been many premature deaths of people in group for 65 and 84, while in worst-affected districts of Belgium, ditional deaths have been witnessed of people in 45-64 group. 

According to VUB, “ most seriously affected arrondissements for this period is Mons, followed by Brussels and Hasselt. Hasselt includes Sint-Truiden and Alken, which both suffered high excess mortality.”

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‘COVID-19 is biggest challenge’

VUB research came in synergy with statements me by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who called coronavirus outbreak as ‘biggest challenge’ since World War II. Last month, UN he said that repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic “probably has parallel in recent past”. After originating from China in late December 2019, coronavirus has infected more than 4.8 million people and caused 318,763 deaths. According to Guterres, global health crisis is ‘greatest test’ global community has faced since peace-keeping body, United Nations was formed.

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Im Source: AP