Belgium reported a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus fatalities on Thursday as health officials confirmed the death toll surpassing 1,000.&nbsp;

So far, 1001 people died and 15,348 infected in the country of 11.4 million, as told by officials in a press conference.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/already-in-icu-europe-awaits-major-crisis-once-coronavirus-ends-289020">Already in ICU, Europe awaits major crisis once coronavirus ends</a>

"Ninety-three percent of deaths involve an elderly person of more than 65," Dr. Emmanuel Andre, the government health spokesman, said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-812-new-fatalities-in-spain-belgium-death-toll-over-500-289460">Coronavirus: 812 new fatalities in Spain; Belgium death toll over 500</a>

As per the official figures, the total number of deaths doubled in the space of three days, partly due to the updation of numbers with a backlog of deaths from retirement homes.&nbsp;

Andre also said Belgium has entered what officials hope as a peak period of the pandemic and nearly half the intensive care beds in the hospitals are already occupied.&nbsp;

Last week, the country extended lockdown measures to April 18 to contain the spread of the virus, with Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes saying that lockdown could be increased to May 3 if the situation demanded it.&nbsp;

Like other European countries, Belgium has also shut down businesses, schools, restaurants, and banned public gatherings.&nbsp;

Belgium, earlier, also announced a measure where spitting on police could lead to a jail term of upto two years after the country witnessed a large number of cases.&nbsp;

Belgium reported a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus fatalities on Thursday as health officials confirmed the death toll surpassing 1,000. So far, 1001 people died and 15,348 infected in the country of 11.

Belgium reported a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus fatalities on Thursday as health officials confirmed the death toll surpassing 1,000. So far, 1001 people died and 15,348 infected in the country of 11.4 million, as told by officials in a press conference. Also read | Already in ICU, Europe awaits major crisis once coronavirus ends "Ninety-three percent of deaths involve an elderly person of more than 65," Dr. Emmanuel Andre, the government health spokesman, said. Also read | Coronavirus: 812 new fatalities in Spain; Belgium death toll over 500 As per the official figures, the total number of deaths doubled in the space of three days, partly due to the updation of numbers with a backlog of deaths from retirement homes. Andre also said Belgium has entered what officials hope as a peak period of the pandemic and nearly half the intensive care beds in the hospitals are already occupied. Last week, the country extended lockdown measures to April 18 to contain the spread of the virus, with Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes saying that lockdown could be increased to May 3 if the situation demanded it. Like other European countries, Belgium has also shut down businesses, schools, restaurants, and banned public gatherings. Belgium, earlier, also announced a measure where spitting on police could lead to a jail term of upto two years after the country witnessed a large number of cases.

Coronavirus death toll surpasses 1,000 in Belgium

coronavirus-belgium

Coronavirus Belgium, News on Coronavirus Belgium, stories on Coronavirus Belgium, articles on Coronavirus Belgium, Coronavirus Belgium stories at Wion, Coronavirus Belgium news, Coronavirus Belgium latest news

coronavirus belgium

Coronavirus death toll surpasses 1,000 in Belgium