Belgium's foreign minister has been hospitalized in intensive care for treatment of the coronavirus.
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday confirmed Sophie Wilmes had been in hospital since last night.
Wilmes announced Saturday on Twitter that she had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, adding: “An infection that probably occurred in the family circle, given the precautions I have taken outdoors.” She was in self-quarantine since Friday.
In the past few days, Belgium has recorded a steep rise in the infections. With the country's health minister warning of a "tsunami" of infections, the government has ordered bars and restaurants to close, urging people to wear face masks.
The country has recorded 253,000 infections with 10,539 deaths so far.
* Writing by Iclal Turan in Ankara
