Covid-19 infections double again among working population
Over the past two weeks, the number of Covid-19 infections among the working population has doubled compared to the previous two weeks, shows a report by professor of occupational medicine Lode Godderis (KU Leuven-IDEWE).
The report compares the infection rates in the different economic sectors, and already recorded a doubling of the number of infections in the working population in the previous two weeks.
Between 28 June and 11 July, the incidence rate (confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants) doubled – going from 476 to 951 – compared to the previous period, which ran from 14 to 27 June.
In the general population, the incidence rose from 355 to 694 – meaning that while infections are also increasing rapidly in the rest of society, the rates among working people are increasing faster.
The sectors where the virus circulates the most are the traditional sectors where there is a lot of close contact between people: the healthcare sector and the social sector, as well as the aviation sector and public transport.
In sectors, such as education, culture and entertainment, wholesale and retail trade, the increase seems to be under control.
Remarkably, several production companies and government departments are also experiencing an increased number of infections, where the incidence is up to three times higher than those of the general population and up to two times higher than those of working people.
According to Godderis, however, these high incidences are due to a few outbreaks rather than to a structural increase in infections.
© BELGA PHOTO JOHN THYS - Medical staff assist a patient infected by Covid-19 at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Centre Hospitalier Regional de la Citadelle in Liege on December 21, 2021.