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Former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes in intensive care with COVID-19

Former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes in intensive care with COVID-19
Posted at 6:49 AM, Oct 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-22 07:49:01-04

BRUSSELS — Belgian Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes has been hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19.

Wilmes, who was in charge when the first wave of infections hit the country this spring, now serves in the new government led by Alexander De Croo.

Elke Pattyn, a spokesperson at the Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press that Wilmes is stable and conscious. She said her condition “is not worrying.”

The 45-year-old Wilmes, who was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday evening, said last week she thought she got infected within her family circle.

Belgium, a country of 11.5 million inhabitants, has been severely hit by COVID-19 and is currently seeing a sharp rise in new cases. More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus-related complications in Belgium.