View allAll Photos Tagged SARSCoV2
8 March 2021: The average number of people being hospitalised with Covid is now increasing at a slower pace than in recent days. The number of new cases of coronavirus detected remains more or less stable. On average in the week to 6 March 147 patients with Covid were hospitalised each day. The figure is up 2% on the week. In the week to 4 March on average 2343 people tested positive each day. This figure is down 3% on the week. Whilst the figures are still very high the support for the curfew is faltering and other measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus, including the rationale for the slow rollout of the deconfinement strategy are challenged by more and more people. In addition, the increased gap between the number of vaccines delivered to our country and the actual vaccinations fuels a general dissatisfaction for the way our country is dealing with the crisis. Net-net, corona fatigue has never been as high, and most people are dreaming of a long vacation on a sun-drenched beach. I shot today’s picture in Saint Martin, an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea back in August 2008 – Saint Martin, Caribbean Islands.
Silberhalogenid-Gelatine-Negativfilm Fomapan 100 21° DIN;
Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an Vollformatkamera Exakta Varex IIb (Bj.ca.1965);
Digitalisiert mit NIKON D90 Nikkor 1,8/50 und Pentacon Diakopiervorsatz.
Umkehrentwicklung und Gradationsanhebung mit Lightroom
Silberhalogenid-Gelatine-Negativfilm Fomapan 100 21° DIN;
Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an Vollformatkamera Exakta Varex IIb (Bj.ca.1965);
Digitalisiert mit NIKON D90 Nikkor 1,8/50 und Pentacon Diakopiervorsatz.
Umkehrentwicklung und Gradationsanhebung mit Lightroom
16 October 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic – Figures show that during the last seven-day observation period starting 5 October on average 5,421 people tested positive each day and that on average 170 patients a day were hospitalised. While our coronavirus infections figures continue to soar, calls have been rising to follow the neighbouring countries’ example and introduce “partial lockdowns” or curfews. As consequence we’re all anxiously looking forward to the outcome of today’s meeting of the consultative committee. In advance of the meeting Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgium’s new Minister of Health, announced yesterday that whatever the meeting will decide a number of guiding principles will be respected. Those include keeping schools open, ensuring that businesses can continue their activity, ensuring that health care does not overturn, allowing people suffering from cancer to be treated and a person who has to undergo a serious operation to be admitted to hospitals. Awaiting the result, I’ll work through my agenda of videoconferences and hope for a decision that strikes the right balance between the economy and the need to ensure the safety of all of us. On display today is the clock tower of the old post office downtown Ghent – Korenmarkt, Ghent, Belgium
19 February 2021: In the week to 15 February on average 1813 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is down 12% on the week. In the same period 120 patients with Covid were hospitalised and 39 fatalities a day were linked to Covid. The figures are down respectively 2% and 8% on the week. Even though Belgium’s coronavirus infection and hospitalisation figures are continuing their downward trend, they are not good enough to start relaxing the measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus yet. 240 coronavirus infections per day per 100,000 inhabitants is still way too high. Compared to other European countries we’re ranking somewhere in the middle. We are doing better than France (400) and the Netherlands (290) but worse than Germany (140). Belgian virologists, therefore, reiterated that the thresholds of 800 infections and 75 hospitalisations per day should be reached first before any relaxation could be considered. One virologist said “If we begin to relax some coronavirus measures before Easter, we would be shooting ourselves in the foot. Going too fast is not an option”. Today, I’m posting the last pictures of last week’s cold snap – Zevergem, Belgium.
Hier war die Arzenei, die Patienten starben,
Und niemand fragte: wer genas?
So haben wir mit höllischen Latwergen
In diesen Tälern, diesen Bergen
Weit schlimmer als die Pest getobt.
Ich habe selbst den Gift an Tausende gegeben:
Sie welkten hin, ich muß erleben,
Daß man die frechen Mörder lobt
Goethe: Faust
Objektiv Zeiss Pancolar 1,8/50 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
11 February 2021: The latest figures on the number of new cases of coronavirus are encouraging. In the week to 7 February on average 2107 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is down 8% on the week. Yesterday, the WHO stated that even though not much data on the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine among the elderly is available, it still recommends its use for over 65s, based on the available evidence. Immune responses induced by the vaccine in older persons are well documented and similar to those in other age groups the statement continued. Even though the EMA approved it for use in all age groups at the end of January, several European countries still advised against it. Last week, the Belgian authorities decided not to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over the age of 55 for now, based on a recommendation from the Superior Health Council. A decision that had significant consequences for our country’s vaccination strategy, as Belgium ordered 7 million doses of the vaccine. The chair of the Superior Health Council followed up on the news with a brief statement saying that the council will look into WHO statement and revert back in the coming weeks. I’m failing to understand the rationale of this approach. Why does our Superior Health Council need a couple of weeks to confirm the work that has been done by two leading health authorities? Why do local authorities need to duplicate the work that already has been done by international umbrella organizations? Aren’t we duplicating efforts and therefore loosing valuable time? Understand who can… Anyway, I decided to post something completely different today. Photographing birds doesn’t usually charm me, however, I felt that to this shot goes well together with this week’s weather conditions – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium.
4 February 2021: In the week to 31 January on average 2,363 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 8% on the week whilst the number of hospitalizations and fatalities continues to fall. Yesterday the Belgian government has agreed which ailments will qualify you for priority in getting vaccinated. Underlying health issues that provide a risk include all patients aged 45 to 64 with chronic respiratory, heart and vascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, chronic afflictions of the nervous system, dementia, tumorous cancers, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and high blood pressure. Patients in the 18 to 64 age category qualify if they have haematological cancers, Down syndrome, HIV or afflictions of the immune system. Also transplant patients and people with rare diseases will get priority. In total these are more than 1 million Belgians. The vaccination of risk patients will start next month. There was more good news yesterday. Researchers from the Oxford University reported the results of a study providing evidence that the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine not only protects people from serious illness and death but also substantially slows the transmission of the virus. Assuming that the manuscript will get peer-reviewed published it underscores the importance of mass vaccinations as a path out of the pandemic. Personally, I find it a pity that many EU countries are taking a very conservative approach for the roll out of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Anyway, I’m not a virologist and, therefore, should not get involved in the debate. Instead, I’ll continue to focus on documenting daily life or what draws my attention during my daily corona walks in my hometown. It is sometimes surreal, ugly, paradoxical and complex. It’s a little bit of everything and a little bit of nothing but it’s unique in its own right – Ghent, Belgium.
Objektiv Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Bildkreis << 25% (Makro)
3 November 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic - Although the increase is slowing, the number of hospital admissions and the number of people dying after having become infected with the novel coronavirus remains very high. There are currently 6,823 COVID-19 patients in Belgian hospitals of which 1,223 are on the intensive care ward. This is well above half of all available intensive care beds. According to Steven Van Gucht, one of Belgium’s lead virologists, the next two days will show whether the number of hospitalisations is stabilising or not and as a consequence if we will stay under the maximum capacity of 2,000 ICU beds during the next two weeks. The other silver lining is that as of today Belgium will increase significantly its testing capacity with the opening of the first three of what will be 8 so-called “super labs”. The super labs will serve to take some of the strain off the clinical laboratories and make it possible to be able to once again test people that are asymptomatic. Just at the time that there is some glimmer of hope that we may avoid that the second wave of the corona pandemic turns into a nationwide tragedy the fear for a resurgence of extremist and terrorist groups increases. Last night Vienna became the target of a terrorist attack leaving at least 2 people dead and 15 others wounded. Let’s hope that today’s outcome of the US elections will as a minimum not add the list of challenges the world is confronted with. We don’t need the most powerful nation in the world in turmoil on top of everything else. In the midst of all of this William celebrated his second birthday. Our grandson brings a smile on our face and hope in our hearts as we live in difficult and dangerous times – Kortrijk, Belgium.
1 October 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic – In sharp contrast to Belgium’s relaxation of the measures to contain the pandemic, that become effective today, all of our neighbouring countries have introduced (or are planning on introducing) stricter measures to halt the rising figures of coronavirus infections and hospitalisations. Understand who can… One of the most important measures that the Netherlands took is that bars and restaurants are no longer allowed to let clients in from 9:00 PM, and have to be empty by 10:00 PM. In France, more than 10,000 new confirmed cases per day were reported last week, with a peak of almost 16,000 cases on Friday. France then called an enhanced alert for almost all of its major cities, meaning a closing hour of 10:00 PM for pubs and restaurants, and a total closure of festivity halls. In Germany, the government called the evolution of the pandemic very worrying and urged everyone to continue to follow the rules on face masks, quarantine and basic hygiene. Germany recorded an incidence rate of 14 confirmed infections per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest of all of our neighboring countries. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany has always been seen on top of the class in its response framework to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. They are exceling in prevention, detection, containment and treatment. The picture on display today is taken on Trier’s central market square yesterday. Besides the fact that face masks were mandatory at the hotel life felt surprisingly normal… Hauptmarkt, Trier, Germany.
Objektiv Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Bildkreis << 25% (Makro)
15 June 2021: It’s going to be a record-breaking week for the Flemish vaccination centers; if all goes to plan 677,010 people will be vaccinated in one of the 95 Flemish centers. Also, this week will see the launch of the EU digital COVID certificate in Belgium. More good news was coming from the National Bank of Belgium. The NBB announced that our country’s economy will have returned to pre-pandemic levels 6 months earlier than previous projections had predicted. The bank now predicts 5.5% economic growth for this year. This is 2% higher than the growth predictions made by the bank at the start of the year and the employment projections are looking good. Finally, the latest figures on the coronavirus pandemic in Belgium show further sharp falls in the number of new infections and in the number of people with COVID-19 that are being hospitalised. There are currently 702 COVID-19 patients being cared for in Belgian hospitals; of those hospitalised 274 are on intensive care wards. During the week from 5 June to 11 June an average of 800 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This is 42% down on the figures from the previous week. The positivity rate dropped to 2.7 and the reproductive rate fell to 0.76 – Ghent, Belgium.
20 November 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic – Belgium has now officially dropped out of the top ten list of the European list of countries with the highest number of Covid-19 infections per inhabitants. After being at the top of the list for several days at the end of October, then falling to sixth, Belgium is now in 14th place, according to the most recent data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). However, the number of patients in our hospitals is still very high and higher than in most other countries. Our hospitals have been and still are under heavy pressure, but the good news is that everybody is getting proper treatment and that we haven’t seen scenes like other countries with patients being treated in corridors or on parking places. Due to our complex state structure with eight health ministers many things have been going wrong during this pandemic but as a minimum we got this right. So, big kudos to all healthcare professionals who have been going the extra mile since February to cope with this unprecedented health crisis. On display is the University Hospital in Ghent. On the façade neon lights display “Blijven Vechten” - freely translated in English “Keep on Fighting” or using the words of Bob Marley “Get up, stand up: don’t give up the fight!”. Thank you! Ghent, Belgium.
Objektiv Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Bildkreis << 25% (Makro)
Objektiv Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Bildkreis << 25% (Makro)
19 May 2021: According to one of Belgium’s lead virologists, Professor Van Gucht, the figures are currently following the most optimistic forecasts. He continued that at the current rate the number of coronavirus patients on ICUs will soon fall below 500. The total number of COVID-19 patients in our country’s hospitals stands at 1,857, a fall of 17% on a week ago. Of these 610 are on intensive care wards. During the week from 9 to 15 May an average of 2,099 people tested positive for coronavirus each day, a fall of 30% on the previous week. The positivity rate stands at 5.9% and the reproduction rate is 0,89. Speaking about the Indian variant, Professor Van Gucht told the press that there are currently 77 confirmed cases in Belgium, but that there are probably more cases than this. He added that it is still unclear how much more infectious the Indian variant is than other coronavirus variants. Most importantly of all is that he said that there is no indication that vaccines offer less protection against the Indian variant than they do against other variants. I wholeheartedly hope he is right. Today’s picture is a photo I spotted on the walls of the Ghent city museum – SMAK, Ghent, Belgium
Silberhalogenid-Gelatine-Negativfilm Fomapan 100 21° DIN;
Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an Vollformatkamera Exakta Varex IIb (Bj.ca.1965);
Digitalisiert mit NIKON D90 Nikkor 1,8/50 und Pentacon Diakopiervorsatz.
Umkehrentwicklung und Gradationsanhebung mit Lightroom
In the US, the CDC has recommended we all wear homemade masks in public. Ewa wanted us all to show our best home made masks.
Meanwhile according to Gov. John Bel Edwards' latest address, it appears the social distancing and other mitigating strategies as well as the work being done in Louisiana hospitals and the research from LSU being applied at our hospitals is starting to cause a positive overall trend in Louisiana.
We're Here! : Masks, Masks, Masks
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Strobist: AB1600 with gridded 60X30 softbox camera rightt. AB800 with gridded 7 inch reflector camera right. Triggered by Cybersync
Louisiana
16,284 confirmed cases
582 deaths
Temp
97.2am
98.4pm
8 February 2021: In the week to 4 February on average 2,312 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 1% on the week. In the week to 6 February an average of 123 people with COVID-19 were admitted to Belgian hospitals each day. This is a rise of 3% on the week, however, for the first time since 13 October 2020 the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care has fallen below 300. So far, we’ve been able to avoid a third wave in Belgium, but we cannot say that that the fall in the corona figures is really continuing. Therefore, the government will not consider any relaxation of the measures currently in place to curb the spread of the virus before all over 65s and young people with chronic conditions are vaccinated. When this will happen will largely depend on the availability of vaccines. In that respect The New York Times reported some worrying news. South Africa has halted the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine after evidence emerged that the vaccine did not protect clinical-trial participants from mild or moderate illness caused by the more contagious virus variant that was first seen there. If this news is confirmed – these results have not been peer reviewed published - I’m wondering what impact this may have on the worldwide vaccination efforts. Anyway, let’s hope that we’ll soon get some good news from the EMA on the CureVac and J&J vaccine. On yesterday’s corona walk I came across this merrymaker who started promoting his own vaccine in anticipation of carnival – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium.
22 February 2021: The number of people testing positive has stopped falling during the past few days and it is expected to rise in the days to come. The British variant is now estimated to account for half of all coronavirus infections. In the week to 18 February on average 2005 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 4% on the week. As a consequence, no significant easing of coronavirus restrictions should be expected to come out of next Friday’s meeting of the government. The Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said that this could only be done responsibly in around another three weeks when the country has a better view on the impact of the British variant of the virus. Yesterday’s nice weather meant that people came out in droves. The police calling it “pleasantly crowded” despite the fact that people on squares and lawns did not always respect the distance rules or wear a mouth mask. – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium.
4 March 2021: In the week to 28 February on average 2386 people tested positive each day. This figure is up 7% on the week. What is worse is that we continue to see a sharp rise in hospitalizations. On average in the week to 2 March 152 patients with Covid were hospitalised each day. The figure is up 21% on the week. Even though Belgium’s coronavirus figures have not improved compared to last week, politicians and experts are in favour of allowing people to meet in larger groups when outdoors. The rationale is that they want to keep people a bit of extra hope, so they can keep following the other measures. I’m wondering what the government will decide next Friday when they meet again. Meanwhile, Ghent is treating students to one hundred chalk circles on the St Peter’s Square. The circles should allow students to enjoy the spring sunshine safely and stick to the corona measure that restricts gatherings to only four people outdoors. Each has a diameter of six metres and can accommodate four individuals. Circles too socially distance with four metres in between – Ghent, Belgium.
Martinair Cargo Boeing 747-412(BCF) (Reg:PH-MPS) at 35,000ft.
Away from the pavement
Dublin - Ireland
Image copyright flightradar24.com
23 February 2021: The number of people testing positive is on the rise again. In the week to 19 February on average 2098 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 13% on the week. Virologists haven’t got an oven ready explanation for the increase but are suggesting that the British mutation that is more contagious has an important role in the increase. Also, yesterday, the Belgian PM Alexander De Croo flanked by experts unveiled four models showing how the pandemic could evolve in the Belgian hospitals given the growing number of people who will be vaccinated and the progress of the British variant of coronavirus. The models show what could happen in the event of relaxations starting 1 March, 1 April or 1 May. As may be expected the later relaxations kick in, the happier the situation our country will find itself in as far as the pandemic is concerned. I’m wondering what actions the government will take based on these models. One thing is clear, we should not expect bars and restaurants to re-open in the weeks to come – Berouw, Ghent, Belgium.
20 June 2021: The corona statistics keep improving. The total number of corona patients in Belgian hospitals fell to 499. The last time we were below the 500 mark was 21 September last year, well before the start of the second wave. There are 212 corona patients left in intensive care. During the week from 10 June to 16 June an average of 542 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This is 44% down on the figures from the previous week. The positivity rate has plummeted to just 2 percent: when 100 tests are carried out, 2 turn out to be positive. More good news is that 70% of the Flemish adult populations has received at least one dose of the corona vaccine. Yesterday I wrote that the new relaxations would kick in on 27 June, this is four days earlier than originally planned. This decision was not driven by models of biostatisticians but by our national soccer team, the Red Devils. If all goes well, they will be playing the eight-finals in the European Championship and the scheduled match is set to kick off in Seville at 21.00. If the match is over within the normal 90 minutes of play, no problem. If it is extended, however, into extra time, then the match would still be under way at closing time of bars and restaurants… Let’s hope that this euphoria does not come back and bite us. All that glitters is not gold. The surge of the delta variant still represents a serious threat to all those that are not fully vaccinated – Dagblad Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium
I tried to duplicate the feel of an 18th century aristocratic portrait
Elinchrom 600 J strobe + Elinchrom 60x60 light box
Canon 430 EX II for background lightning
1 June 2021: The latest figures on the coronavirus pandemic in Belgium show a continuation of the positive trend set in recent weeks. There are currently 1,220 COVID-19 patients being cared for in Belgian hospitals; of those hospitalised 443 are on intensive care wards. During the week from 22 to 28 May an average of 1,765 people in Belgium tested positive for the coronavirus. This is 26% down on the figures for the previous week. The reproductive rate for currently stands at 0.82 and nearly half of the adult population (49.8%) has received the first injection of a coronavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, the EU and Belgium are both aiming to finalise their certificates to facilitate free movement within the union before 1 July, but three conditions for travel already seem certain. Travellers will have to show the country they are entering that they pose no – or at least a limited – risk of infection, by showing that they (1) have been vaccinated against the virus, (2) have a recent negative PCR test, or (3) have been infected in the past, and are therefore immune. I’m wondering how these measures will work in practice. Hopefully we will know more after 4 June when the government is meeting to finalize the modalities for leaving and entering the country. Meanwhile, the sunny weather is bringing the holiday vibes back to our hometown – Ghent, Belgium.
Air Force Thunderbirds flying over our house near Philadelphia just now as part of a rare joint formation with the Navy's Blue Angels. The fly over was in honor of our health care workers working on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
Donaurandbruch bei Schwabelweis
Objektiv Zeiss Flektogon 4/25 an SONY A5000
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Kleinbild: 43%
Bildflächennutzung ggü. Bildkreis << 25% (Makro)
Humber River, Toronto ON 26 Sep 2020
One of the kayak trips of late September, previously unposted. The pandemic had filled the Humber River with kayaks and other small craft.
24 May 2021: The pressure on hospitals continues to ease. The number of Covid patients receiving treatment in Belgian hospitals has dropped below 1,500 of which 544 are in intensive care wardens. Unfortunately, the number of new infections is up again. During the week from 14 to 20 May an average of 2,409 people tested positive for coronavirus each day. This is up 5% on the average for the previous week. Meanwhile, the Indian variant has taken hold in the UK to such an extent that the planned relaxations of the Covid rules may be in jeopardy. In Belgium the spread of the Indian variant is much less serious, however, by now we know that the virus is not bothered by borders. The good news is that a British study shows that both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the AZ vaccine are both effective against the Indian mutation. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine achieved 88% effectiveness against the Indian variant, but that figure is only achieved after a second dose. In the case of AstraZeneca 60% effectiveness was achieved in the study. Since the study shows that both vaccines are only 33% effective against the Indian mutation after a single dose this difference in effectiveness may be explained by the slower roll-out of AZ, which means that fewer people have yet had their second dose. In any case, until we receive our second jab, we’ll refrain from travelling and continue to enjoy the local museums – STAM, Ghent City Museum, Belgium.
Modern art.
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27 January 2021: The number of people testing positive for the virus and people with COVID-19 that are being hospitalised continues to rise. In the week to 23 January on average 2,148 people tested positive each day. The figure is up 7% on the week. The pandemic is in a phase of both hope and deep concern. At the current rate, most of Belgium’s at-risk population in residential care centres and hospitals should be vaccinated around mid-February. However, it will be necessary to wait until April or May when the people over 65 years old and people between 45 and 65 with underlying conditions are vaccinated before Belgium can consider adapting today’s deconfinement strategy health officials announced yesterday. If this timing turns out to be correct, I have about 90 pictures to go before life will return to normal. Today’s street scene I took downtown Ghent the day before yesterday – Ghent, Belgium