Belgium Reports 243 New COVID-19 Cases

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belgium has risen by 243 on Wednesday, according to the Health Ministry.

This is considered the largest one-day increase since the crisis has begun, taking the total number of cases in Belgium to 1,486.

In addition, the country also registered four more deaths from the emerging virus in the past 24 hours. A total of 14 people have now died in Belgium from the outbreak.

Moreover, the Belgian authorities announced on Wednesday, that the country has begun applying a full quarantine phase in order to cope with the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

The government also called on citizens to stay at their homes, avoid crowds, and direct contact with others.

In a press conference, the interim Belgian Prime Minister revealed that these measures, launched by the government under the slogan "Stay at Home", will be applied as of today, Wednesday.

It is worth mentioning that, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic as the new virus has rapidly spread to more than 121,000 people from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

More cases of the virus, which causes respiratory disease Covid-19, continue to emerge, with outbreaks in South Korea, Italy, and Iran.

Transmission of viruses between humans happens when someone comes into contact with an infected person’s secretions, such as droplets in a cough. They can also be transmitted by coming into contact with something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.