(BRUSSELS) — Belgian health authorities say a 3-year-old girl has died after testing positive for the coronavirus amid a surge of infections in the country.
The announcement Friday came a day after Belgium decided to reinforce restriction measures to slow the spread of the virus, including mandatory masks in crowded outdoor public spaces.
The girl suffered from several severe associated diseases, according to a statement released by health authorities. She is believed to be the youngest person to die from COVID-19 complications in Belgium after a 12-year-old passed away in March.
Belgium has reported 64,847 confirmed cases and 9,812 deaths.
The average infection rate has largely increased over the past two weeks and the number of new infections went up 89% from the previous week from July 14-20.
The announcement came a day after Belgium decided to reinforce restriction measures to slow the spread of the virus