Belgian national team coach and former professional player Rick Verbrugghe has revealed that he suffered greatly from an infection believed to be the COVID-19 coronavirus. He has now recovered and is out cycling, but told the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad what he experienced while suffering from the symptoms.

"I contracted COVID-19 and it was hard but I survived. I hope everyone stays healthy," Verbrugghe said. 'I had a bad cough. I was coughing so bad, it felt like I had a lung infection, and I panicked at the time. It was much worse than the flu."

Verbrugghe, 45, raced in Lotto and Cofidis from 1996 to 2008. He had a fever for eight days.

"Two weeks ago I fell ill. My children and my wife Claudia (Greg Van Avermaet's sister, editor's note) also got it, but it looked like a bad cold to them. They only had a fever for one day, but I had a fever for eight days and slept day and night for five days." [I had aches all over. The doctors were convinced it was COVID-19, although they didn't do any tests. But I could still breathe properly, so I didn't need to go to the hospital, and they only did tests at the hospital." [Claudia and the children were in shock and I called the doctor at 10:00 at night when things got worst. I had read the report and was worried that there would be more breathing problems. Fortunately, that was not the case; I have been feeling better for three days now, but I am still tired. I cycled for an hour yesterday and over 2 hours today, but it was painful. But it felt good to get out."

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As of April 17, there were 36,138 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by Belgian authorities, with 5,163 official deaths and 7,961 discharged. Currently, 5,161 people are admitted to Belgian hospitals, of whom 1,140 are in intensive care units.

According to an analysis by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, Belgium has the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 in the world at 13.4%. However, this may be due to the way Belgium reports cases. Belgium was one of the last European countries to take closure measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Some isolated outdoor activities, including cycling, are permitted, and professional riders still train outdoors.

The COVID-19 epidemic led to the postponement of the Belgian Classics, with the Baloise Belgian Tour (scheduled for late June) becoming the latest race to be canceled. The Belgian Championships were scheduled to take place in Anzegem on August 22-23, but after the Belgian Security Council announced that all sporting events, mass gatherings, and major summer festivals would be canceled until August 31, Mayor Gino Devogelaere told Het Nieuwsblad newspaper that that weekend's race He stated that he would not allow the event to be held.

Verbrugghe did not know how he came into contact with the COVID-19 virus and warned everyone to respect the rule of careful social distancing.

"We have been very careful and followed all safety rules. Did it happen in the store? Probably, but I don't know what I did wrong, so you can see that it could have happened to anyone," he warned.

"Everyone should pay attention. I had the flu once and I can assure you. I was shocked because I am still young, healthy, and exercise a lot. It must be hell for older people who are not physically fit."