Belgium: virus infection figures decreasing since Christmas

Belgian authorities said Monday that COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths were all decreasing, as the country moved to tighten restrictions on incoming travelers.

"Infection figures are decreasing quite quickly but we should remain careful, as it is a holiday period so people might be getting tested less," said Yves Van Laethem, a spokesperson at Belgium's COVID-19 crisis center.

"But we also have a decrease in hospital admissions and deaths," he added.

Belgium's average daily infection rate over the past week was 2,171, a 15% decrease on the previous week.

At 160 per day, hospital admissions had gone down by 11%. Deaths were down by 13%, at 84.6 per day.

Officials stressed that every effort must be made to keep numbers down.

People are still not allowed more than one guest at home, bars and restaurants remain closed, and a 10pm curfew will stay in place over New Year's Eve.

Since Friday, most incoming travelers to Belgium have had to show a negative coronavirus test upon entry.

"We must avoid importing new infections, we must avoid new infection chains. People entering our country or coming back must be careful," said crisis center spokesperson Antoine Iseux.s

Belgium has been hard hit by the pandemic, reporting nearly 639,000 confirmed cases and 19,200 deaths.

(Image Credit: AP)