The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from December 28 to January 4. The number of hospitalisations has decreased, while the number of deaths has slightly gone down.
The number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions have decreased while the number of deaths has also decreased.
Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 113,554 new infections in the Netherlands. An increase compared to last week’s report of 84,398 infections.
The percentage of positive tests has also increased, rising to 30.8% compared to 23.4% from the week before.
Deaths
The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has decreased compared to the past week. This week, 189 people passed away, compared to 272 people the previous week.
Hospitalisations
The number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU has decreased. The past week saw 817 new admissions to the nursing ward and 164 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 941 patients and 196 patients respectively.
Lockdown measures in the Netherlands will likely remain
Following the announcement of a hard lockdown in the Netherlands, the Dutch cabinet will decide whether to extend or relax the current coronavirus measures on January 14.
The measures have resulted in protests, the most recent taking place in Amsterdam on January 2. Even more, protests are on the way.
But Marc Bonten of the OMT does not expect the measures to be lifted — at the moment, it is too soon to talk about abolishing measures. But there are a few silver linings to this news.
Booster shots available for everyone over 18
Starting today, anyone born before 2003 can get their coronavirus booster shot as early as three months after their last vaccination — all without having to wait for a letter in the mail!
This comes as great news, as Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announced that after February 1, international vaccination certificates will only be valid if they’ve received their booster shots.
Primary and high schools will reopen but universities stay closed
After sending Dutch school children into the Christmas holiday a week early, the Dutch cabinet has decided to reopen primary and high schools next Monday. However, universities in the Netherlands will stay closed for the time being.
Schools were initially closed to curb the infection rate among school children, particularly of the omicron variant which arrived in the Netherlands just before December of 2021.
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