After South Africa announced it had detected the new virus variant B.1.1.529, Belgium became the first country in Europe to report the new case.

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In Belgium, one sample was confirmed as the novel B.1.1.529 variant (in a returning traveller from Egypt (11/11); first symptoms on 22/11).
— Marc Van Ranst (@vanranstmarc) <a href="https://twitter.com/vanranstmarc/status/1464223622747283460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Belgium's health minister Frank Vandenbroucke reported the new case even as several countries in Europe have been battling the fourth wave.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-threat-heres-what-we-know-about-covid-b11529-or-nu-variant-likely-deadlier-than-delta-432075">Also Read:&nbsp;Here's what we know about Covid B.1.1.529 or Nu variant, likely deadlier than Delta</a>

Belgium said the traveller had returned from Egypt.

Several countries in Europe including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria introduced travel bans&nbsp;on South Africa including on neighbouring countries namely Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and others.

Watch:&nbsp;Why some viruses mutate faster than others?

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However, the World Health Organisation(WHO) cautioned against travel bans imposed by several countries on South Africa while adding that it will take several weeks to understand the new variant.&nbsp;

Germany's health minister Jens Spahn said the "new variant causes even more problems" as the country battles a virus surge.&nbsp; Chancellor Merkel had said last week that the current coronavirus curbs were not enough as the country combats the new virus wave.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-says-borders-to-remain-open-to-south-africa-despite-concerns-over-new-covid-variant-432156">Also Read:&nbsp;Australia says borders to remain open to South Africa&nbsp;</a>

The Netherlands had witnessed large scale riots as people protested against lockdown measures. Austria is already on a lockdown amid a surge in cases as many other European nations&nbsp;have reimposed restrictions.

France said it has suspended all flights from southern Africa for 48 hours.

(With inputs from Agencies)

After South Africa announced it had detected the new virus variant B.1.1.529, Belgium became the first country in Europe to report the new case. In Belgium, one sample was confirmed as the novel B.

After South Africa announced it had detected the new virus variant B.1.1.529, Belgium became the first country in Europe to report the new case. In Belgium, one sample was confirmed as the novel B.1.1.529 variant (in a returning traveller from Egypt (11/11); first symptoms on 22/11). — Marc Van Ranst (@vanranstmarc) November 26, 2021 × Belgium's health minister Frank Vandenbroucke reported the new case even as several countries in Europe have been battling the fourth wave. Also Read: Here's what we know about Covid B.1.1.529 or Nu variant, likely deadlier than Delta Belgium said the traveller had returned from Egypt. Several countries in Europe including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria introduced travel bans on South Africa including on neighbouring countries namely Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and others. Watch: Why some viruses mutate faster than others? However, the World Health Organisation(WHO) cautioned against travel bans imposed by several countries on South Africa while adding that it will take several weeks to understand the new variant. Germany's health minister Jens Spahn said the "new variant causes even more problems" as the country battles a virus surge. Chancellor Merkel had said last week that the current coronavirus curbs were not enough as the country combats the new virus wave. Also Read: Australia says borders to remain open to South Africa The Netherlands had witnessed large scale riots as people protested against lockdown measures. Austria is already on a lockdown amid a surge in cases as many other European nations have reimposed restrictions. France said it has suspended all flights from southern Africa for 48 hours. (With inputs from Agencies)

New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case

Belgium is set to allow indoor drinking, dining and entertainment venues to reopen for audiences of up to 200 people from June 9 as the coronavirus cases have declined in the country.

Earlier cafe and restaurants with outdoor seating had reopened on Saturday after almost seven months.

Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said: "We have taken giant steps forward," on the vaccination programme adding that the country's authorities expect to vaccinate 80 per cent people over 65.

However, the prime minister cautioned that it was necessary to "keep the situation under control in the intensive care units".

The country's authorities will now allow one in five workers to return to the office in four weeks' time and at home four guests will be allowed inside people's homes instead of two.

Large events will now be allowed in the country including shows, exhibitions and theatres with a maximum of 200 people allowed inside.

Belgium has over 1 million coronavirus cases with a daily average of 2,936 in the past week but vaccination has gathered pace with over 3.5 million people&nbsp;having received at least the first dose out of a population of 11.5 million.

"From June 9, we will allow the organization of larger events, both indoor or outdoor," PM Croo asserted, adding, "The mask will be compulsory outside and obviously inside. From June 9, the opportunities will be extended every month."

Belgium has 24,000 recorded fatalities due to the virus but has seen a drop in cases recently.

"This far-reaching summer plan can be implemented if we keep the situation in hospitals and intensive care units under control. This summer plan can be implemented if all lights remain green," the PM added.

Belgium is set to allow indoor drinking, dining and entertainment venues to reopen for audiences of up to 200 people from June 9 as the coronavirus cases have declined in the country.

Belgium is set to allow indoor drinking, dining and entertainment venues to reopen for audiences of up to 200 people from June 9 as the coronavirus cases have declined in the country. Earlier cafe and restaurants with outdoor seating had reopened on Saturday after almost seven months. Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said: "We have taken giant steps forward," on the vaccination programme adding that the country's authorities expect to vaccinate 80 per cent people over 65. However, the prime minister cautioned that it was necessary to "keep the situation under control in the intensive care units". The country's authorities will now allow one in five workers to return to the office in four weeks' time and at home four guests will be allowed inside people's homes instead of two. Large events will now be allowed in the country including shows, exhibitions and theatres with a maximum of 200 people allowed inside. Belgium has over 1 million coronavirus cases with a daily average of 2,936 in the past week but vaccination has gathered pace with over 3.5 million people having received at least the first dose out of a population of 11.5 million. "From June 9, we will allow the organization of larger events, both indoor or outdoor," PM Croo asserted, adding, "The mask will be compulsory outside and obviously inside. From June 9, the opportunities will be extended every month." Belgium has 24,000 recorded fatalities due to the virus but has seen a drop in cases recently. "This far-reaching summer plan can be implemented if we keep the situation in hospitals and intensive care units under control. This summer plan can be implemented if all lights remain green," the PM added.

Belgium to reopen indoor dining as cases decline

The death toll of a coronavirus outbreak in a care home linked to a Saint Nicolas party for the elderly last month has reached 27.

The Mol care center in northern Belgium had organised a December 4 visit of a saint who usually spreads mirth and presents.

The municipality said on New Year's Eve that a 27th person had died but the outbreak was finally stabilising.&nbsp;

The Mol municipality said two weeks ago the party would have been barred had the local crisis cell known about it. At the last count, the care home had 88 infections, including 42 among the staff.

Initially, an actor had been pinpointed as the source of the outbreak, but subsequent scientific research could not be fully conclusive.

Belgium, a nation of 11.5 million, has been badly hit by the pandemic with 19,441 deaths so far, many of them in care homes.

The death toll of a coronavirus outbreak in a care home linked to a Saint Nicolas party for the elderly last month has reached 27. The Mol care center in northern Belgium had organised a December 4 visit of a saint who usually spreads mirth and presents.

The death toll of a coronavirus outbreak in a care home linked to a Saint Nicolas party for the elderly last month has reached 27. The Mol care center in northern Belgium had organised a December 4 visit of a saint who usually spreads mirth and presents. The municipality said on New Year's Eve that a 27th person had died but the outbreak was finally stabilising. The Mol municipality said two weeks ago the party would have been barred had the local crisis cell known about it. At the last count, the care home had 88 infections, including 42 among the staff. Initially, an actor had been pinpointed as the source of the outbreak, but subsequent scientific research could not be fully conclusive. Belgium, a nation of 11.5 million, has been badly hit by the pandemic with 19,441 deaths so far, many of them in care homes.

Covid toll linked to Belgian party for elderly hits 27

As Europe continues to battle the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-coronavirus-expert-anthony-fauci-a-disaster-336526">coronavirus</a> pandemic, Belgium's health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the country was facing a "tsunami" of new cases.

Watch:

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“We are the most affected region in all of Europe. We are really close to a tsunami … that we no longer control what is happening. Today, we can still control what is happening, but with enormous difficulties and stress," &nbsp;Vandenbroucke told broadcaster RTL.

Hospitalizations rose in 100 per cent in Belgium last week as the government closed bars and restaurants on Monday and reinforced night curfew.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worldwide-cases-surpass-40-million-more-than-50-cases-from-us-india-and-brazil-336386">Also Read:&nbsp;</a><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/coronavirus-worldwide-cases-surpass-40-million-more-than-50-cases-from-us-india-and-brazil-336386" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Worldwide cases surpass 40 million; more than 50% cases from US, India and Brazil</a>

“If it continues to increase, the number of hospitalisations will be such that we will have to postpone more and more non-COVID care, which is also very dangerous," Belgium's health minister said adding," the government has only one message to the public: protect yourself, protect your loved ones, so as not to be contaminated.”

According to reports, Belgium has one of the highest per capita rate&nbsp;of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-reports-over-10000-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hours-fatalities-rises-to-over-153-600-336321">COVID-19</a> infection in the world registering 222,253 cases which has doubled in a week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-the-coronavirus-surges-a-new-culprit-emerges-pandemic-fatigue-336261">Also Read:&nbsp;As the coronavirus surges, a new culprit emerges - pandemic fatigue</a>

Italy had earlier announced the closure of bars and restaurants amid a surge in cases as Europe continues to battle to the virus. France had imposed night curfew in nine cities last week including in Paris&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Switzerland government acknowledged that the "second wave is here" while making it mandatory to wear masks n indoor public spaces and as COVID-19 infections doubled last week.&nbsp;

Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset said although the country was battling the virus he assured the country that the government was prepared although he said that the virus was "stronger than we expected".

Amid the surge in cases, the United Nations has said it will stockpile one billion syringes around the world by the end 2021 to use it for the delivery of any future coronavirus vaccine.

As Europe continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, Belgium's health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the country was facing a "tsunami" of new cases. Watch: “We are the most affected region in all of Europe.

As Europe continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, Belgium's health minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the country was facing a "tsunami" of new cases. Watch: “We are the most affected region in all of Europe. We are really close to a tsunami … that we no longer control what is happening. Today, we can still control what is happening, but with enormous difficulties and stress," Vandenbroucke told broadcaster RTL. Hospitalizations rose in 100 per cent in Belgium last week as the government closed bars and restaurants on Monday and reinforced night curfew. Also Read: Coronavirus: Worldwide cases surpass 40 million; more than 50% cases from US, India and Brazil “If it continues to increase, the number of hospitalisations will be such that we will have to postpone more and more non-COVID care, which is also very dangerous," Belgium's health minister said adding," the government has only one message to the public: protect yourself, protect your loved ones, so as not to be contaminated.” According to reports, Belgium has one of the highest per capita rate of COVID-19 infection in the world registering 222,253 cases which has doubled in a week. Also Read: As the coronavirus surges, a new culprit emerges - pandemic fatigue Italy had earlier announced the closure of bars and restaurants amid a surge in cases as Europe continues to battle to the virus. France had imposed night curfew in nine cities last week including in Paris Meanwhile, the Switzerland government acknowledged that the "second wave is here" while making it mandatory to wear masks n indoor public spaces and as COVID-19 infections doubled last week. Swiss Health Minister Alain Berset said although the country was battling the virus he assured the country that the government was prepared although he said that the virus was "stronger than we expected". Amid the surge in cases, the United Nations has said it will stockpile one billion syringes around the world by the end 2021 to use it for the delivery of any future coronavirus vaccine.

We are really close to a tsunami, says Belgium's health minister amid surge in coronavirus cases

Belgium on Friday reported deaths of 5,000 people due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-toll-passes-32000-probable-virus-deaths-included-293016">coronavirus</a> with 313 people dieing in the last 24 hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-1st-coronavirus-victim-was-a-holocaust-survivour-293106">Also Read:&nbsp;Israel's 1st coronavirus victim was a Holocaust survivor</a>

The total death toll due to coronavirus now stands at 5,163, the country's health authority said. Several fatalities were reported from old age homes and hospitals.

The country now has high per capita mortality ratio compared to most other European countries.

On April 10, the European country had reported the death of 3,000 people. Europe has been hit hard with the COVID-19 epidemic with Spain, Italy, France and Germany being hit with thousands of casualties.

The World Health Organization(WHO) had said on Thursday that Europe is still in the "eye of the storm".

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes had said earlier that &nbsp;said the government "made the choice of full transparency when communicating deaths linked to COVID-19," even if it resulted in "numbers that are sometimes overestimated."

The IMF said Eurozone economy will crash in 2020. The international finance body said the eurozone economy would crash by&nbsp;7.5 per cent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. The region is predicted to have the worst performance of any region in the world. &nbsp;

Italy which has been hit hardest due to the virus with over 22,000 deaths will see a slump of 9.1 percent in 2020, the IMF reported.&nbsp;

Belgium on Friday reported deaths of 5,000 people due to coronavirus with 313 people dieing in the last 24 hours. Also Read: Israel's 1st coronavirus victim was a Holocaust survivor The total death toll due to coronavirus now stands at 5,163, the country's health authority said.

Belgium on Friday reported deaths of 5,000 people due to coronavirus with 313 people dieing in the last 24 hours. Also Read: Israel's 1st coronavirus victim was a Holocaust survivor The total death toll due to coronavirus now stands at 5,163, the country's health authority said. Several fatalities were reported from old age homes and hospitals. The country now has high per capita mortality ratio compared to most other European countries. On April 10, the European country had reported the death of 3,000 people. Europe has been hit hard with the COVID-19 epidemic with Spain, Italy, France and Germany being hit with thousands of casualties. The World Health Organization(WHO) had said on Thursday that Europe is still in the "eye of the storm". Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes had said earlier that said the government "made the choice of full transparency when communicating deaths linked to COVID-19," even if it resulted in "numbers that are sometimes overestimated." The IMF said Eurozone economy will crash in 2020. The international finance body said the eurozone economy would crash by 7.5 per cent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. The region is predicted to have the worst performance of any region in the world. Italy which has been hit hardest due to the virus with over 22,000 deaths will see a slump of 9.1 percent in 2020, the IMF reported.

Belgium's coronavirus deaths rise to over 5,000

Belgium's death toll due to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-spain-witnesses-lowest-death-toll-in-17-days-with-602-new-fatalities-291795"> coronavirus&nbsp;</a>reached 3,000 on Friday as Europe continued to battle the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-faces-the-worst-crisis-since-great-depression-imf-chief-291720">Also Read: World faces the worst crisis since 'Great depression', says IMF chief</a>

There are now 3,019 recorded fatalities in the country. The death toll rose after 171 people died at a retirement home last month, authorities said.

The country recorded 496&nbsp;deaths in the last 24 hours. The worldwide fatalities from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 95,808 on Friday with 1,605,548 confirmed cases in 192 countries so far.

Italy has the most number of deaths with 18,279 and 143,626 infected cases. Spain on Friday reported its lowest daily death toll from coronavirus in 17 days, with 605 new deaths. According to the latest figures 15,843 people have died in Spain so far.

The United States has the highest number of cases so far with 466,299 which is the largest in the world next only to Spain.

The death toll in France rose to 12,210 on Friday with 118,785 cases of infection as Europe continued to battle the deadly virus.

In United Kingdom, 65, 872 people have been infected with the virus with the country recording 7,978 deaths even as PM Johnson's office said the British prime minster who is suffering from the virus has been moved out of the ICU.

Belgium's death toll due to coronavirus reached 3,000 on Friday as Europe continued to battle the pandemic. Also Read: World faces the worst crisis since 'Great depression', says IMF chief There are now 3,019 recorded fatalities in the country.

Belgium's death toll due to coronavirus reached 3,000 on Friday as Europe continued to battle the pandemic. Also Read: World faces the worst crisis since 'Great depression', says IMF chief There are now 3,019 recorded fatalities in the country. The death toll rose after 171 people died at a retirement home last month, authorities said. The country recorded 496 deaths in the last 24 hours. The worldwide fatalities from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 95,808 on Friday with 1,605,548 confirmed cases in 192 countries so far. Italy has the most number of deaths with 18,279 and 143,626 infected cases. Spain on Friday reported its lowest daily death toll from coronavirus in 17 days, with 605 new deaths. According to the latest figures 15,843 people have died in Spain so far. The United States has the highest number of cases so far with 466,299 which is the largest in the world next only to Spain. The death toll in France rose to 12,210 on Friday with 118,785 cases of infection as Europe continued to battle the deadly virus. In United Kingdom, 65, 872 people have been infected with the virus with the country recording 7,978 deaths even as PM Johnson's office said the British prime minster who is suffering from the virus has been moved out of the ICU.

Belgium records 496 coronavirus related deaths in 24 hours; toll crosses 3,000

The numbers of coronavirus deaths and infections are continuously rising around the world. China has placed millions under lockdown as the virus continues to spread. Countries are evacuating their citizens from the epicentre of the outbreak which is Wuhan. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Countries evacuate its citizens from epicenter of Coronavirus outbreak

Overnight there has been a massive hike in the death toll of the deadly coronavirus. Around 425 people have lost their lives around the world and 62 new deaths were reported in China and all the casualties were reported in the Hubei province. WHO has warned all the countries dealing with the coronavirus outbreak by preparing and not by panicking. At a press briefing in Geneva, the Director of 'Global Infections' elaborated about the global collaboration of WHO and Google to narrow down all the information regarding the coronavirus, to avoid the spread of misinformation on the internet.

WION Dispatch: Coronavirus kills 425 people killed around the world, WHO ask countries to not panic