⁍ Sport and cultural facilities in Brussels must close and residents will face a longer curfew from Monday.

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⁍ Belgium, one of the European countries worst hit by COVID-19, is grappling with a new wave of the virus.

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⁍ The country’s rate of new cases is at the highest since the start of the pandemic, with a record 15,432 infections recorded on Tuesday.

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– Pandemic H1N1 has killed at least 10 people in Belgium, with the country now facing a nighttime curfew and mandatory masks in public spaces, Reuters reports. The nation has seen record numbers of new cases, with 15,432 recorded this week, the highest rate since the pandemic began. “The increase in numbers is staggering and we had to act with a partial lockdown,” said the president of one French-speaking region. Public gatherings of more than four people have been banned in Brussels. “The situation is very serious, it cannot remain this way,” said the premier of the Brussels region, which is home to the European Union and NATO. Belgium has one of the highest per capita fatality rates in the world. Before this month, Belgium had not recorded more than 3,500 cases per day. The country is testing more people now than it did in the first wave of the virus, accounting for some, but not all, of the increase in cases. Luxembourg, which borders Belgium, also announced a nighttime curfew and curbs on social contacts. The nation of 11 million people had 1,119 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past week. Belgium has one of the highest per capita fatality rates in the world. Before this month, Belgium had not recorded more than 3,500 cases per day. The country is testing more people now than it did in the first wave of the virus, accounting for some, but not all, of the increase in cases.