Confirmed COVID-19 cases per economic activity during Autumn wave in Belgium

Verbeeck, J.; Vanersmissen, L.; Peeters, J.; Klamer, S.; Hancart, S.; Lernout, T.; Dewatripont, M.; Godderis, L.; Molenberghs, G.

Objective: To assess the COVID19 incidence per economic activity during the Autumn wave 2020 in Belgium. Methods: The 14-day incidence of confirmed COVID19 cases per NACEBEL code is described in the periods immediately preceding the Belgian more strict measures of October 19, 2020, and is evaluated longitudinally by a GaussianGaussian modelling twostage approach. Additionally, the number of high risk contacts in working segments and regions is described. Results: The peak of COVID19 14day incidence in most NACEBEL sectors is reached in the period October 20 November 2, 2020 and was considerably higher than average in human health activities, residential care activities, fitness facilities, human resource provision, hairdressing and other beauty treatment and some public service activities. Human health activities, residential care activities, food and beverage service activities, hotels, arts, food retail activities, and human resources provision have high pre-lockdown incidences. The frequency of index cases that report more than two high risk contacts is increasing over time in all sectors. Conclusion: Despite the restrictive protocols present in many sectors before the Autumn wave, employees in activities where close contact with others is high, show increased risk of COVID19 infection. Especially sports activities are among the highest risk activities. Finally, the increasing amount of high risk contacts by COVID19 confirmed cases is compatible with the decreasing motivation over time to adhere to the measures.