File photo

BRUSSELS, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The trend of a general decline in the spread of the coronavirus in Belgium has been further strengthened in the last 24 hours, said a statement issued Sunday by the public health institute Sciensano.

According to the statement, 77 new hospitalizations have been confirmed in the last 24 hours,  a decrease of 71 patients compared to May 1.  The drop is also observed in new cases of contamination, with 389 confirmed cases, a decrease of 96 patients, in the last 24 hours. The same is true for intensive care, with 674 confirmed patients, a decrease of 15 patients.

Seventy-nine new deaths of COVID-19 were recorded in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, 98 people have recovered and left the hospital.

Belgium now has a total of 7,844 deaths, 49,906 cases of contamination and 12,309 people cured since the beginning of the pandemic.

This general declining trend is a favorable indicator at a time when Belgium is about to begin its deconfinement.