THE HAGUE - The number of new corona infections in the Netherlands has risen to 534 in the past week. This is almost a quarter more than the previous week. This is evident from the most recent figures from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
It is the first increase in the number of infections since the beginning of June, the test capacity has been expanded. Since last month, Dutch people with mild complaints, such as a cold or sneezing, could also be tested. According to the latest figures, there were an average of 76 infections per day. The number of infections rose by 102 from 432 to 534, according to the latest figures that RIVM has published weekly since this month.
In the past week, 16 more corona patients have been admitted to hospital, and the death toll has risen by eight. Virologist Ab Osterhaus points to various causes that may play a role in this increase. “There are of course quite a few changes. The general attitude towards the coronavirus and the rules may have relaxed somewhat, the increased travel behavior could play a role, possibly more intensive testing."
According to the expert, "although the numbers are going up, the numbers are still within the margin of error." "If these figures continue to rise for several consecutive weeks, this obviously means something," the virologist emphasizes.
Belgium
The increase in the Netherlands follows after Belgium also experienced a slight increase. There, the average number of new corona infections per day rose by 11 percent, compared to the previous week. Belgium has an average of 95 infections per day.
Local lockdowns
New lockdown measures in the Netherlands due to the corona virus cannot be ruled out this summer, but they will rather be local or regional. This was argued by Hubert Bruls, chairman of the Security Council, on Monday evening after consultations between the 25 Security Regions ended. Bruls: "With the knowledge that we have now, much more than four months ago, we think that we will certainly not have to put the entire country through all kinds of measures."
Local measures must then prevent the entire country from having to lockdown: "Each of us is a bit afraid of the horror that we will all be back in those measures for months," said Bruls after the Security Council. The foreman emphasized the importance of the source and contact research in determining infections.