Belgium approves new Covid barometer

by IANS |

Brussels, Jan 22 (IANS) Belgium is introducing a new Covid-19 barometer to gauge the seriousness of the pandemic situation, which consists of three colour codes, yellow, orange and red, according to authorities.

The barometer will come into effect on January 28 under code red, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The hope is that we can go from a pandemic to an endemic. That should ensure that we would have much less unpredictability. But let me be clear: that is not yet the case today," Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said at a press conference on Friday.

The barometer's three-colour codes reflect the level of pressure on healthcare and will allow authorities to link Covid-19 measures to hospitalization numbers and ICU capacity.

The yellow code means the epidemiological situation and pressure on hospitals are under control, new hospitalisations per day don't exceed 65, while code orange means new hospitalizations per day are between 65 and 149, and intensive care occupancy between 300 and 500 beds.

Code red means a high risk of overloading the health system with beds in ICUs exceeding 500.

The health authorities noted that the number of infections continues to increase sharply, as the reproduction rate of infections and hospitalizations remains above one, indicating the increased spread of the virus.

The number of hospitalisations is also increasing, but the number of intensive care beds occupied by Covid patients is slightly decreasing, they added.

They also asked people to get booster vaccination as soon as possible.

As of March 1, a booster shot will be required for people to retain a valid health pass, if their second dose was more than five months ago, according to the authorities.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM