Belgium: Coronavirus death toll rises past 2,000

BRUSSELS

The coronavirus death toll in Belgium is now over 2,000, but the number of COVID-19 patients at hospitals is declining, health authorities announced on Tuesday.

The jump in the death toll, which rose to 2,035 from 1,632 on Monday, was partly because elderly care centers in the Flanders region reported 241 fatalities, which occurred between April 1 and April 4, in one go.

A total of 1,380 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed and 314 patients were admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours, according to the Federal Public Service of Health’s data.

The new cases have raised Belgium’s total to 22,194, with the total number of people tested at 80,512, as per the latest figures.

Belgium has recently ramped up testing and has been conducting 10,000 tests on a daily basis since Sunday.

The federal government imposed strict limitations on public life three weeks ago. On Sunday, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said the lockdown measures may be extended until May 3.

People are only allowed to leave their houses to buy food or medicines, visit a doctor, help someone in need, or go to work if working from home is not an option.

Only supermarkets and pharmacies can stay open, while snack bars and restaurants can only offer food for takeaway.

Flag carrier Brussels Airlines has announced that its flights would remain suspended at least until May 15.

The government is also expected to cancel two of the country’s biggest summer festivals, Tomorrowland and Rock Werchter.

Since appearing in China last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 184 countries and regions, according to figures compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Over 1.36 million cases have been reported worldwide, with Europe being the worst-hit continent.

The global death toll is nearing 76,000 and almost 292,000 people have recovered around the world so far.