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Weekly update: Netherlands counts over 200,000 positive tests in one week

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Weekly update: Netherlands counts over 200,000 positive tests in one week

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from January 4 to January 11 — and they aren’t looking good.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 201,536 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a huge increase compared to last week’s report of 113,554 infections.

The percentage of positive tests has also gone up slightly, rising to 32,4% compared to 30.8% from the week before.

In an unusual turn of events, the RIVM has spoken with the NOS on these numbers — an act that speaks to the gravity of the situation. “We have never seen such large numbers in a week,” a spokesperson tells the NOS.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has decreased compared to the past week. This week, 116 people passed away, compared to 189 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

The number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU have continued to decrease. The past week saw 730 new admissions to the nursing ward and 143 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 817 patients and 164 patients respectively.

Young people responsible for nearly half of infections

The virus has been burning its way through young people with the age group of 15-29 being responsible for almost half of infections.

However, if the virus has a firm favourite at the moment, it’s for those between the ages of 20 and 24. This age category has seen a tripling in the number of infections this week.

Netherlands records highest ever daily infections

This week was a week of records, at least when it comes to coronavirus. On January 7, the RIVM recorded 34,954 coronavirus infections in one 24 hour period. This is the highest number of daily infections ever recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.

While the RIVM was quick to point out a system failure that may have meant the number was slightly lower, the institution still recorded that coronavirus infections had increased by 63% compared to the previous week. 😳

Medical grade facemasks from now on?

We may have to ditch our grandmother’s handmade facemasks. The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has advised that the Dutch cabinet should implement mandatory medical masks in the Netherlands. 😷

The masks would have to be at least Type II medical masks and should be worn in indoor public spaces. However, whether the cabinet will follow this advice, is another question.

No appointment? No problem

The GGD is aiming to increase the number of walk-in booster locations throughout the Netherlands. What does this mean? Simple, you don’t need an appointment, so you can find out where they’re offering walk-in boosters and join the queue.

These locations will be announced in the coming days. At the moment, walk-in locations can be found in Leeuwarden, Drachten, and Venray.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news and updates.

Feature Image: RadilaRadilova/Depositphotos

Otter spotted in Amsterdam for the first time in 50 years

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Otter spotted in Amsterdam for the first time in 50 years

In furry news like no otter, for the first time in half a century, an otter has made Amsterdam its home — moving to the IJburg islands area.

After leaving bits of traces and clues behind all summer, the cute creature finally made a nighttime video appearance, Het Parool reports.

This is a glorious event as, due to water pollution and car traffic, the last time the animal was spotted in the capital was in 1963. It then completely disappeared from the Netherlands by 1988, urban ecologist Geert Timmermans tells Het Parool.

Tracking

Today, otter traces can be found all around the North Holland area, especially in the town of Muiderberg, after they started moving back to the Dutch lowlands in 2002.

As for Amsterdam’s otter, the sighting was only made possible thanks to the spraints (that’s otter poep) and the eaten fish left behind, explains Stijn Nollen who traced and captured the footage of Amsterdam’s newest celebrity.

The exact location of where the otter was spotted in the city was kept a secret as not to bother the sweet creature with nighttime visitors.

Ushering a return

The return of otters to the Netherlands can be partially attributed to the improved water quality and under-road passages which help the animals to cross safely.

According to the Dutch Mammal Association, which previously declared 2021 as the year of the otter, 🦦 traffic remains the biggest threat to these creatures.

Do you think we’ll be seeing more otters in the Netherlands or Amsterdam’s area? Tell us in the comments below!

Featured Image: neelsky/Depositphotos

Police seal off Leiden canal due to “gunman”… but it’s not what you think

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Police seal off Leiden canal due to “gunman”… but it’s not what you think

On Sunday evening, Dutch police sealed off Kolfmakerssteeg on the Rapenburg in Leiden following reports of a man carrying a firearm. A police helicopter was even seen circling the Leiden city centre for a long time.

So what turned this peaceful student street into a scene from Criminal Minds? A woman reported seeing a man walking with a rifle inside a student house in Kolfmakersteeg and called 112, reports the Sleutelstad.

Multiple police units were on the scene and armoured officers urged the students to come out of their house with their hands on their heads. One of those students was the alleged gunman.

However, it turns out that the gun was actually an air rifle that belonged to a student’s grandfather. It was being used to kill a mouse in a trap to give it “his last push”. 😳

A big mouse-understanding

Once the police realised that the rifle was “a harmless piece of antique”, things calmed down and everyone went back into their homes at around 9 PM. The rifle wasn’t seized by police.

The woman who sounded the alarm didn’t recognise her neighbour across the street and when she saw what could be a potential firearm, she dialled the emergency number. Turns out, he had shaved his head and she thought he was a stranger.

“I know what he looks like. And it wasn’t my neighbour standing there with a gun. I saw a strange man load the gun, walk away, and then come back a moment later and load it again,” the woman told Omroep West. Let’s be honest, it’s a fair reason to panic.

But now the neighbour laughs about the incident and says that her neighbour has “forgiven me. The air rifle belonged to his grandfather, so he was very happy to hear from the police that he could keep it. All’s well that ends well, I guess.”

As for the outcome of the mouse, sadly it didn’t survive the air rifle. 😭

What do you think about the air rifle incident? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Vera de Kok/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Several Dutch shops open in protest against coronavirus measures

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Several Dutch shops open in protest against coronavirus measures

In the wake of coronavirus, non-essential shops have opened in several cities in the Netherlands to protest the current measures.

Stores in Bussum, Sittard, and Urk among other cities are participating in this form of protest, reports RTL Nieuws.

In a rebellious phase

Several shops are ‘open’ for customers to come in and get coffee but you can’t actually buy anything in there. 🤷 Other shops hang posters telling customers they are open.

The municipality of Urk has already asked shopkeepers to comply with the coronavirus measures, as an act of solidarity with other businesses. No fines have been issued to these shops, but they’ve been given warnings. ⚠️

Desperate to open

According to shop owner Jo Bormans in Sittard, Belgian stores have experienced a 30% turnover since Dutch stores closed — especially after Dutchies spent their Christmas holidays shopping there instead of in the Netherlands.

Shops are desperate to reopen after hard lockdown measures were placed last month — measures that have resulted in Dutch retail stores collectively losing more than €2 billion in revenue. 💰

However, shopkeepers will have to wait to see if they will be able to reopen until the next set of coronavirus measures are announced in the upcoming press conference.

What do you think of this form of protest against the coronavirus measures? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: VAKSMANV101/Depositphotos

OMT advice: mandatory medical face masks in the Netherlands

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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OMT advice: mandatory medical face masks in the Netherlands

While we wait for tomorrow’s press conference for an update on the coronavirus measures in the Netherlands, the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has advised the cabinet that people wear medical face masks. 😷

This goes, among others, for public outdoor spaces where the 1.5-metre distance rule cannot be kept, including shopping streets, sports venues, and during demonstrations, reports the NOS.

A breath of fresh air?

Well, not really. While a mask mandate isn’t new to the Netherlands, the cabinet has been advised to specifically make medical masks (minimum Type II) mandatory — meaning you wouldn’t be able to use non-medical masks, like ones made from cloth, anymore.

These are the types of masks healthcare professionals wear. We can only guess what that says about the state of coronavirus in the Netherlands. 😕

Indoor measures to change

The OMT has also advised that people wear a medical mask in public indoor spaces, where people from different households may gather regardless of whether social distancing rules can be kept.

Tieners would not be exempt from this rule — anyone over the age of 13 should wear a face mask even when seated unless they are eating or drinking.

This rule would also apply to many institutions, such as colleges and universities, cultural institutions, companies, and offices. The only exception would be when people are exercising.

What counts as medical and non-medical

If you’re unsure what type of mask you’ve been wearing, here’s a quick breakdown of the types of masks and their classification.

Type of maskDescription
Non-medical face masksThese masks are not subject to legal requirements in terms of the quality and protection they offer. They don’t protect the wearer but if worn properly, they can protect others. Cloth masks are part of this category.
Surgical/medical face masks (Type I, II, and IIR)These masks are intended for healthcare professionals. They are less effective in protecting the wearer from outside viruses and bacteria because air-borne particles can enter through the sides. While type Type I provide the lowest degree of protection, Type II medical masks, which the OMT is recommending, have a filter of 98%.
FFP mouth-nose masksThese masks are worn completely to the face and are intended to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful substances in the air, including a virus.
Source: NOS

At the moment, all non-essential shops and most public institutions are still closed, so we’re going to have to wait for the cabinet’s final decision until tomorrow’s press conference.

What do you think about the mandatory use of medical masks? Tell us in the comments. 👇

Feature Image: Gustavo Fring/Pexels

Meet Arden: one of Amsterdam’s favourite photographers (photos inside!)

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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Meet Arden: one of Amsterdam’s favourite photographers (photos inside!)

If you follow DutchReview on Instagram — which you definitely should — you may be familiar with arden_nl whose work we frequently share. He has an absolutely stunning feed, and it’s safe to say that finding Amsterdam shots as gorgeous as his would prove to be quite a feat.

Arden’s Instagram and content-creation business has grown so much in the past year that he’s put his software engineer career on hold and dived into photography full time — thanks for blessing our feeds, Arden. 😉

Who is Arden?

Arden is a 32-year-old photographer and content creator based in Amsterdam. He specialises in aerial photography, colourful patterns and scenes, architecture, reflections, and city lights. His work really is swoon-worthy.

The beauty of Amsterdam in warm colours. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

His stunning shots reach millions of people each week on social media, and he’s even had his photos published by renowned mass media outlets, such as the BBC and Euronews.

Where can you see his work? 

He currently has two photography exhibitions in Amsterdam. One at Samsara Books & Art Store in Amsterdam (Oude Spiegelstraat 7) and another at Le Flaneur (Prinsengracht 260) where he showcases his framed images of Amsterdam, and other parts of the world. 🌎

The streets of Amsterdam in Autumn. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

Want to be a pro photographer too? 

Do you dream of being able to capture and share the beauty you see in Dutch cities, but feel that you don’t have the tools (a fancy camera) or the skills? Geen problem (no problem), Arden is your guy.

picture-of-Amsterdam-city-at-night-ArdenNL-Arden
Amsterdam’s beauty at night. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

He offers one-to-one mobile phone photography and night photography workshops in Amsterdam, so you can become a pro too with the iPhone that lives in your pocket — perhaps even create your own “Starry Night”! Sign us up! 🤩

You can find Arden on Instagram, Facebook, and of course, on his website!  

Have you checked out Arden’s gorgeous work? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Arden-nl/Supplied

Firefighters in this Dutch village will come to your rescue on their ‘fiets’

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Firefighters in this Dutch village will come to your rescue on their ‘fiets’

Starting this week, firefighters of the Dutch village Breukelen will hop on their bikes to save the day. Have you ever heard anything more Dutch? 😂

Just imagine this: there’s a fire in the town of Breukelen, Utrecht. The alarm sounds through town and the town’s brave firefighters rush to put on their gear. In groups, they hurry out of the fire station, zoom past the fire truck, and hop onto their trusty e-bikes to save the day!

Say, what?? Well, it’s true. But don’t worry, there’s a good reason for it. The Dutch are madly in love with their bikes but (for the most part) they’ve stayed sane.

“Rather smiling faces, than no fire brigade”

This is the fire station’s solution to the puzzle: a bridge that needs fixing. There is a single bridge crossing the river de Vecht in the village Breukelen, and for the next couple of months, it is under construction, reports AD.

The problem? The station is on one sight of the river, but much of the area the firefighters are meant to protect is on the other. And while there is a temporary bridge in place, the fire truck is far too heavy to cross it.

So, there are only two options remaining. Either taking the fire truck on a detour of several kilometres to the next bridge or hopping on the fiets and speeding across the temporary fixture.

True to their Calvinist roots, the Dutch naturally chose the most straightforward and pragmatic approach. The Commander of the Breukelen firefighter unit Nick van Schaik says: “Rather smiling faces, than no fire brigade.” 💪

E-bikes for the everyday hero

Naturally, the firefighters will still need their cars to reach fires outside of the village. A temporary, make-shift fire station has been set up on the other side of the bridge. The bikes are only used to get there as fast as possible.

And because they’re using e-bikes, it really takes no time at all! The 600 metres from the fire station to the temporary car are covered in a mere 1.5 minutes. “We won’t be out of breath by the time we reach the car,” commander Tim van Dommelen tells AD happily. 🚒

A first time for everything

The fact that the temporary fire station on the other side of the river is on a farm just adds another fun element to the story.

The firefighters have been asked to back out slowly for the first couple of metres so they don’t disturb the animals with car noises.

“I have been with the fire brigade for forty years and have never experienced anything like this,” says firefighter Herman Lokhorst, “It’s unique.”

What do you think about firefighters on bikes? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: kokal/Depositphotos

The first day of Rutte IV: this is what’s happening

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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The first day of Rutte IV: this is what’s happening

After almost a year since Rutte III resigned and what has been the longest Dutch cabinet formation in history, the Rutte IV cabinet finally takes office this Monday. 🧑‍⚖️

It will be a day full of traditions for the incoming ministers from the VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), D66 (Democrats 66), CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal), and ChristenUnie (Christian Union), reports the NOS.

Swearing in a new batch

The swearing-in ceremony usually takes place in Huis Ten Bosch, the royal palace in the Hague. But to keep to the 1.5-metre distance rule, the ceremony will be held in the Great Ballroom of Noordeinde Palace instead.

True to the coronavirus spirit, RTL Nieuws reported that the intended Minister of Finance and D66 leader, Sigrid Kaag, will be sworn in digitally, as she recently tested positive for the virus and is in isolation. 🦠

After the swearing-in ceremony, the ministers have a photo opportunity with the king and prime minister, which will also take place in Noordeinde Palace (again, for social distancing requirements).

Prime-Minister-Mark-Rutte-third-cabinet-and-Dutch-King-Willem-Alexander-outside-Paleis-Noordeinde
The new cabinet isn’t going to look too different from this — just expect a 1.5-metre distance between ministers, shaggier haircuts, and more women. Image: Valerie Kuypers/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

Work cut out for them

After their photo opportunity, the new cabinet will have their first meeting in the Binnenhof — and they already have a lot on their plate.

The public is expecting a new press conference tomorrow since the last hard lockdown was announced in December. Everyone is wondering what will happen next, especially with the highest recorded cases since the pandemic began.

Speaking of press conferences, it’s time to wave goodbye to one of their main characters. Hugo de Jonge will step down as the Minister for Health and take up a new role as the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning — because someone is going to have to tackle the Dutch housing crisis. 🤺

But finally, the Netherlands is back to having a cabinet! 🎉 Let’s hope for a more productive and less scandalous term.

What do you think of the new Dutch cabinet? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Valerie Kuypers/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

Crazy rich Dutchies: Dior and Armani coming to already overpriced Dam Square

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Crazy rich Dutchies: Dior and Armani coming to already overpriced Dam Square

A fan of luxury shopping? Dior and Armani will open their stores in Amsterdam’s famous Dam Square this year.

Despite hard lockdown and all non-essential shops being closed (and in general suffering from fewer visitors over the past two years), the brands will be moving into former bank offices in the middle of the Dutch capital, reports Het Parool.

Considering the costs of retail space in Amsterdam, this is a pretty wild move. 💸

The city centre is, sadly, becoming more and more a place for the rich though, so maybe this development isn’t that crazy after all. The Dam Square also boasts, for example, de Bijenkorf — a high-end Dutch department store — and a seven-star hotel. Crazy Rich Dutchies? 🤪

Location, location, location

So why exactly did Dior and Armani decide to open new shops in one of the world’s most expensive cities in the middle of a pandemic?

Well, it’s all about appearance and not so much about the sale of products, marketing professor Kitty Koelemeijer from the Nyenrode Business University tells Het Parool.

“Dior and Armani mainly use their stores to enhance their image. Then you want to be in the most visible place in the city,” says Koelemeijer.

What do you think about Dior and Armani opening stores in Dam Square? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: ifeelstock/Depositphotos

The Netherlands is behind with vaccinating children — here’s why

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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The Netherlands is behind with vaccinating children — here’s why

Today, schools open their doors again after an early, lockdown-induced closure before the holidays. Yet, the Dutch government is behind with ordering age-appropriate coronavirus vaccines.

According to NRC, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) has only ordered 42,000 doses of age-appropriate vaccines — not nearly enough for the 1,3 million children in the Netherlands.

The RIVM says that it had been waiting for official approval to go through with vaccinating children by the Dutch Health Council.

Vaccinations to start late January

The Dutch approach vaccinating children differently from their European neighbours. Germany, France, and Spain have already ordered millions of age-appropriate vaccines in December 2021.

In the Netherlands, only about 1,000 out of 8,000 children with underlying health conditions have received their first jab.

For now, the plan is to send out a letter with an invitation to get vaccinated to parents with children aged five to eleven by January 18. The week after, on January 24, the vaccination campaign is supposed to start.

What do you think about the Netherlands vaccination rate for children? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Milkos/Depositphotos

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