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Weekly update: coronavirus cases shatter records, new measures effective tomorrow

Brin Andrews
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Weekly update: coronavirus cases shatter records, new measures effective tomorrow

This week’s new figures from the RIVM show the grim reality of coronavirus in the Netherlands. A press conference tonight will discuss the new measures intended to slow the spread.

Over the past week, the Netherlands saw its highest increase in new coronavirus infections yet with 43,903 new cases. This marks a dramatic increase of 16,418 from the previous week‘s 27,485 new cases.

The number of daily infections also reached a new record, with 7,378 new positive tests reported in the last 24 hours.

Hospitals admitted 1,144 new patients in the last week, of which 192 are in ICU. This is a sharp leap from the previous week’s 802 hospitalizations and 121 ICU patients.

Coronavirus-related deaths are also on the rise, with 150 new confirmed deaths. Last week’s figures reported 89 deaths.

The upcoming measures

A press conference will be held tonight at 7pm to announce the new measures intended to combat the spread of the virus. Details of the new restrictions have already been leaked. They are said to include:

  • the full closure of restaurants and bars;
  • alcohol sales banned past 8pm;
  • the cancelling of amateur sports;
  • only using public transport if absolutely necessary;
  • group gatherings in public places are limited to four people from different households; and,
  • the current three guests per household rule is being tightened to stipulate three guests per household, per day.

The measures stop just short of an intelligent lockdown, as the Netherlands saw during the early stages of the pandemic. They are expected to take effect tomorrow evening at 6pm and last for two weeks. However, some experts say that a full lockdown is the only way to effectively stop the spread of the virus.

The cabinet’s crisis roadmap

The Volkskrant has published a roadmap containing the cabinet’s plans for managing the coronavirus crisis, though it cannot yet be confirmed as definitive. The roadmap includes the measures to be considered for each risk level, of which there are four: vigilant, worrisome, serious, and very serious. The Netherlands’ risk level is currently assessed as ‘serious’, though quickly approaching ‘very serious’.

Additional developments

First death due to reinfection

In other coronavirus related news this week, an 89-year-old Dutch woman was the first person confirmed by virologists to have died from a second coronavirus infection. There have been only 23 other individuals in the world with confirmed reinfections, each of whom has recovered. The woman suffered from a rare form of cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

Dutch vaccine tests halted

Vaccine testing at Janssen labs in Leiden has come to a pause, after a study participant fell ill. Trials will not resume until more is known regarding the cause of the illness.

GGDs phase-out contact tracing

Due to the drastic rise in coronavirus infections in the Netherlands, GGDs have decided to phase out contact and source tracing. They announced today that they no longer have the capacity to call all those infected with the virus. Instead, call centres are beginning to take over the responsibility.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news on coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva.com

A tale of survival: living in a tiny apartment in Amsterdam

Lachlan Campbell
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A tale of survival: living in a tiny apartment in Amsterdam

Allow me to tell the tale of how I managed to move from a 130 acre rural property in Australia to live in a spatially challenged 30 square meter apartment in Amsterdam.

Coming from a small town of about 3000 people (plus 2000 cows) and growing up in a quintessential country farmhouse on 130 acres, I’m used to wide open spaces, no neighbours, and stairs so steep that you’d rather use a stairlift than have to scramble up yourself.

that don’t require sucking in your stomach and shuffling sideways to get up them.

That is why — as you can probably imagine — adapting to life in a tiny apartment in Amsterdam (home to some of the tiniest apartments out there) was always going to take me a little bit of time to get used to.

photo of narrow house amsterdam
You can find unimaginably narrow houses in Amsterdam. Image: Brin Andrews/supplied.

I’m a positive bloke and I try to take things in my stride, but my girlfriend didn’t mention the fact I was going to have to play Tetris with my surfboards when I moved into her tiny Amsterdam apartment.

Looking down from the plane window at the carpet of lights below I knew it was going to be a bit of a squeeze, and a quick flick through the in-flight magazine confirmed my apprehension. “The Netherlands has a population density of 500 people per square kilometre”. Maybe I should’ve done my research before jumping on the next flight to Amsterdam. Especially considering Australia is about 3 people per square kilometre.

Where’s the rest of it?

To be honest, “barely enough room to swing a cat” was the first thought that went through my head. Just to clarify, for those that haven’t heard this phrase, it’s not to be taken literally. I don’t enter every apartment I intend to rent with a cat in hand that I proceed to swing in a counterclockwise motion by the tail so as to gauge whether the room is an adequate size.

All I’m saying is that when I entered my girlfriends tiny Amsterdam apartment for the first time, I did wonder if I was part of some kind of cruel “prank the newcomer” initiation conspiracy — like there was actually a hidden door behind the bookcase where the other three rooms were located. How naively optimistic of me right? 

You make it work. Image: Brin Andrews/Supplied.

Making the most of the situation

But on the other hand, cleaning — the bane of my existence — is now a quick and pain free endeavour. Back home doing a once-a-month (ok, maybe once-a-year) clean of the house meant preparing for battle with spiders that essentially owned parts of your room. Yes Mr. Spider you can have my bed, I’ll sleep in the corner.

It also involved the whole Campbell clan (all six of us) and usually took two whole days, or to be more specific, my whole weekend. Now, a 10 minute whip around the apartment is all it takes to have everything looking spotless.

photo-of-girl-and-boy-laying-on-bed-with-suitcases-after-moving-to-holland
Many of us came to the Netherlands for love. Image: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels.

Another blessing that comes with moving into a pint-sized apartment with your significant other is the fact that arguments (or “robust” discussions as my Dad calls ‘em) are now resolved pretty bloody quickly. There’s no chance of having a disagreement followed by (my) retreat back to a bunker of broody solitude. When you practically live in each other’s pocket, you need to identify the problem and hash it out like the semi-civilised adults.

I’ve now also turned into some kind of prodigal MacGyver when trying to utilise furniture for multiple purposes. What some may see as a bland looking office desk, through my eyes becomes a place to do puzzles, a home entertainment platform and dining room table all rolled into one. Eat your heart out Ikea.

Looking back on it all, if you’d asked me a year ago if I could survive in a tiny Amsterdam apartment I’d most likely answer, “Could Bigfoot live in a shoebox?”

Turns out… he can.

How do you find living in Dutch apartments? Are you a bit cramped too? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Skeeze/Pixabay.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2016, and was fully updated in October 2020 for your reading pleasure. 

Twice-infected Dutch coronavirus patient dies

Brin Andrews
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Twice-infected Dutch coronavirus patient dies

For the first time, a patient twice-infected with COVID-19 has died from coronavirus-related complications. The 89-year Dutch woman suffered from Waldenstrom’s, a rare form of bone marrow cancer, and was undergoing immunocompromising treatments, according to NU.nl. 

The woman was first infected with COVID-19 earlier this year and was hospitalised for five days with a fever and persistent cough. She recovered but reported being more tired than usual.

Just two month later, the woman was infected for a second time during a round of chemotherapy. She once again developed a fever and breathing troubles and tested positive for coronavirus. Tests confirmed she had no antibodies to the virus.

Her condition quickly worsened, and two weeks later, the woman passed away.

Results of the research

Virologists have found that the virus had a different genetic makeup in each of the woman’s infections. This proves that the virus did not remain in the woman’s body, but that she did, in fact, become infected a second time.

Recontamination of the virus is extremely rare, with only 23 confirmed cases in the world. However, it’s important to note that studies of these types of reinfections present limitations to researchers, as they must be able to compare quality samples of both infections.

What is especially noteworthy about this woman’s case is that in all the other 22 instances, the patient has recovered from the second infection.

Are you surprised by this new finding? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image: Official US Navy Page/Wikimedia Commons 

The struggles of learning Dutch

Samantha Tinsdeall
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The struggles of learning Dutch

Learning the Dutch language can be a challenge and like all languages, it has its own very special quirks. But what is it that makes this language so damn tricky to get your head around?! As an English speaker myself, the Dutch language and its close relation to English and German, should be a walk in the park. Yet, like many Dutch learners you often find yourself lost, tongue-tied, and little frustrated trying to master the oh so gezellig language.

So what is all the fuss about? Here are some of the struggle-city highlights that you may run into whilst trying to pick up the language of the lowlands.

a b c d e f gggggg (what?!)

Let’s kick off with the alfabet! So far so good — the word itself is basically the same as it is in English. So if you’re familiar with the English language, step one should be in the bag!

But step two — moving onto the actual letters — this is where the fun starts. The alfabet itself uses the Latin alphabet, so visually it isn’t too difficult. But there are a few surprises. For one, the Dutch ‘e’ actually sounds like an English ‘a’, and the English ‘i’ is actually the sound for the Dutch ’e’. But it isn’t just the vowels that throw up some challenges. If you spot a ‘d’ at the end of a word, you better remember to actually make the sound of ‘t’! Got it so far?

Great, because now we move onto the sound of the glorious ‘g’ and the harsh ‘sch’. This is the mountain that every non-Dutch speaker must climb. It is the milestone we all lose our voices attaining. It is the ‘G’ in Groningen and the ‘Sch’ in Scheveningen! I personally spent four weeks going to a Dutch class for three hours per week (glass of water by my side) croaking out Groningen and Scheveningen. All the while, feeling like my throat was recovering from a brutal cough before my mouth started to cooperate! Here, persistence is key and believe me, you will get it and you’ll be so proud when you do!

Fun fact: During World War II, suspected German spies were asked to say ‘Scheveningen’. If they fumbled it was an immediate sign that they were not Dutch!

Struggles of learning Dutch: I’m sorry, what did you say?!

Accents, they pop up in every language. Take English ​—​ you think you have mastered it and then you find yourself in Glasgow, Sydney, or Liverpool chatting from someone from Boston, Cardiff, or Alabama. Suddenly, the words you know get churned into a confusing sing-song and you now struggle to understand! Well, the same goes for Dutch. In fact, there are not only different accents but also a number of dialects that stray from the standard Dutch. In the Netherlands we have Gronings in the north, Limburgs in the south and a whole other language called Frisian scattered across the northwest of the country!

One of the noticeable differences is the hard ‘g’ sound. As you travel to the south of the country you will notice that the guttural ‘g’ is not as hard and throaty as in the northerly and Randstad areas of the Netherlands. So if you’re struggling to master the linguistic test that is the guttural ‘g’, then perhaps think about settling in the mountains of Maastricht (that’s right, the Netherlands isn’t all flat!).

And watch out for some phrases that mean completely different things when spoken in the different dialects… One such phrase is, “ik ben net aangereden,” which generally means, “I have been run over (by a car),” in standard Dutch. But take a trip to Maastricht and you’ll find people saying it all day long! Now, this isn’t because Maastricht has a high rate of car accidents. Rather, in Limburgs, the same phrase simply means “I’m on my way!”

Struggles of Learning Dutch

Going Dutch…or trying to at least!

Much like embarking on a new fitness journey, when learning a new language you find yourself googling, reading blogs, and of course, Pinterest to find the secrets to quick success. The apps that promise fluency in three months are shiny and attractive. You play the games for a few weeks but somehow your speaking and listening ability hasn’t quite matched your ability to finish the Duolingo crossword in record time!

One tip that comes up time and time again is to immerse yourself in the language. Watch TV in your target language, read books in said language, and tune into the local radio. Now when learning Dutch, the radio is a great step. But when looking for some ‘relaxed immersion’ like watching a Dutch movie or TV series, you might find yourself stalling. This is because many of the programmes screened in the Netherlands are actually in English with Dutch subtitles.

No doubt this element of Dutch culture is one of the many reasons the Dutchies are so well versed in English. But it also means that you have to search for your evening Dutch homework a little. Often it’s easy to settle for an English movie or series, because, well they are there! But try, search, and tune into Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden rather than The Bold and the Beautiful. You’ll start making leaps instead of shuffles towards your Dutch goals!

But if a full program is a bit out of your depth, start with some simple words that will really help you get by…

Still not enough to overcome the struggles of learning Dutch? Here are another 7 words 😉

Any more struggles of learning Dutch? We would love to hear! Share them with us!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in June 2017 and was fully updated in October 2020 for your reading pleasure.

GGDs can no longer even call with all infected people

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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GGDs can no longer even call with all infected people

As new coronavirus cases continue to climb towards 7000 per day, GGDs can no longer call with everyone who has tested positive. Instead calls to tell a person that they have tested positive are beginning to be made by call centres. 

Sonja Kloppenburg, a spokesperson for the GGD has told the Volkskrant that it is with “a pain in our hearts” that the GGD admits it can no longer call with all infected people.

As coronavirus numbers shot up throughout the Netherlands last week, GGDs decided to phase out source and contact tracing due to a lack of employees.

The organisation currently has the capacity to carry out 1,500 source and contact tracing calls per day, but with daily figures well above 6,000 this is becoming an impossible task.

Kloppenburg explains that “there is no upper limit above which the GGDs no longer conduct source and contact investigations. But it ends somewhere at such numbers.”

Instead, a “risk-based” approach has been adopted and even this is at risk. Through this approach GGD employees will call all infected persons and ask them about who they believe they should call themselves.

During the call it is determined whether or not the person is articulate enough to call their close contacts themselves, and if not, the employee will do it for them.

Unable to even call anymore

However, as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, GGDs fear that even this service will no longer be possible.

The GGDs wish to continue the service, but they are under so much pressure now that when a call can be made, it is usually a few days after the person has tested positive.

Usually those who test positive are always called by GGD employees to be given their result but the organisation has already started to pass the job on to call centres.

“We would prefer to continue to have that conversation with all infected persons”, says Kloppenburg, but it seems the numbers are simply too high.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and updates. 

Feature Image: ©venusvi/Canva.com

Johnson & Johnson vaccine developments on pause after participant falls ill

Emily Burger
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Johnson & Johnson vaccine developments on pause after participant falls ill

Johnson & Johnson have been testing their experimental coronavirus vaccine in the Netherlands for the past month. But their operations at Janssen, based in Leiden, have been temporarily paused.

The American pharmaceutical company announced the decision to pause vaccine testing after a test subject became unexpectedly ill. A private company is investigating the illness of the participant and until more information is known, dosing of candidates in all of Johnson & Johnson’s clinical trials will stop.

The participant’s illness during the vaccine study is classed as an unexpected serious adverse event (SAE), which may or may not be related to the vaccine. The company explained that SAEs are to be expected during any clinical study, but it must now be fully determined whether the illness has anything to do with the vaccine before trials and developments can continue.

Race for a vaccine

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine was not the leader in the race for a coronavirus vaccine. Four other pharmaceutical companies are already in stage three of development, which entails testing the vaccine on larger groups of people. These include potential vaccines from the University of Oxford, BioNTech and Moderna.

Many companies in the US are pushing to have a vaccine ready for distribution by the end of the year, or early next year at the latest. Achieving this, says Biopharmadive, would be unprecedented in the medical field. No vaccine would have ever been developed that quickly, let alone distributed to the public.

Worldwide, there are currently over 100 COVID-19 vaccine candidates being developed, according to the WHO. As the second wave rises, only time will tell when a successful COVID-19 vaccine will become a reality.

Would you take a coronavirus trial vaccine? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: ©Gorkem Yorulmaz/Canva.com

Cabinet wants restaurants and bars to close, evening alcohol sales banned

Brin Andrews
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Cabinet wants restaurants and bars to close, evening alcohol sales banned

New coronavirus measures will be announced during a press conference tonight. Insider information suggests that the cabinet is discussing whether to once again completely close the restaurant and bar industry, according to NOS. 

They also claim that the sale of alcohol will likely be prohibited in the evening, past 8 PM, and that the restrictions will apply for two weeks.

The cabinet discussed serious measures at the Security Council meeting on Monday night. Experts from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) see the hospitality sector as a prime location for infections to spread, particularly among young people.

Three guests

Further restrictions may include limited group size to four people, both in and outside the house. The current limit of three guests in the house will also be tightened to three guests per household, per day. This means if a household has three guests in the morning, they may not have any more separate guests for the rest of the day.

Additional measures

Furthermore, it is suggested that the cabinet wishes to limit travel by only allowing use of public transport if it is absolutely necessary. And yesterday, news that recreational sports teams may be cancelled was leaked as well.

The intention is to limit the amount of contact between people as much as possible, as the number of infections in the Netherlands has skyrocketed over the past month.

So far, the information regarding upcoming restrictions is not officially confirmed. Check back later this evening for the reported outcome of the 7 PM press conference.

Do you think these measures will be necessary to combat coronavirus in the Netherlands? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

 Feature Image: Kaboompics.com/Pexels

Anne Faber has been found in Zeewolde

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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Anne Faber has been found in Zeewolde

It’s been almost two weeks since Anne Faber was missing, today the case came to an expected but still very sad end. The body of the 25-year-old Anne from Utrecht was found in Zeewolde.

Rutger Jeuken, the deputy chief prosecutor, brought the bad news during a press conference. It is not yet known how Anne, who has been missing for thirteen days, has died. Her body has now been moved from the site and will be transported for research to the Dutch Forensic Institute in The Hague. Then it will be transferred to her family as soon as possible, says Jeuken. The area is reopened after the forensic investigation.

The press conference:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcZTLfIid0c[/embedyt]

The Anne Faber case earlier today

The police searched for a “specific place” in the vicinity of the Nulderpad for Anne’s body on Thursday because there was a suspicion that her body was hidden there. This was on the instructions of detained suspect Michael P. (27). The judge decided on Thursday that Micheal P. will remain in custody for fourteen days longer since there is enough suspicion against him.

Our thoughts are with Anne’s family

Anne’s uncle states on behalf of the family that “the darkest scenario for them has come true”. “We still have many questions. What happened, why did this man walk around?” – Many in the Netherlands wonder the same.

On behalf of the family he also thanked everybody for all the support and help in the past two weeks. He also requested at the press-conference that media leave the family alone.

 

Amateur sports cancelled as government warns public to brace for new measures

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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Amateur sports cancelled as government warns public to brace for new measures

Amateur sport will be the next casualty of the government’s measures to tackle coronavirus. Team sports with participants over the age of 18 will no longer be allowed to play. 

This measure, among others, will be formally announced tomorrow evening, sources from The Hague told the NOS.

However, the new regulation will only apply to non-professional contact sports. Non-contact sports like tennis will still be possible, and professional sports will continue. There’s no word yet on whether gyms will be affected.

Other expected measures

In tomorrow evening’s press conference, a range of new measures is expected to be announced in an attempt to curb the steep increase of coronavirus cases. Today saw a new record of positive cases in the Netherlands, with over 6,854.

The additional measures could include a rule that people can only travel with public transport if it is strictly necessary. Bars and restaurants may also be subject to further restrictions, but what this could be is currently unclear.

Finally, it is expected that theatres and shops will still be allowed a maximum of 30 people — but current exceptions, such as protests, assemblies, church, or funerals, may no longer be allowed.

The cabinet has met today to discuss the full range of measures that will be announced at tomorrow’s press conference. Minister for Health, Hugo de Jonge, has warned that we must “brace ourselves” for the new measures.

We’ll be covering the full press conference tomorrow from 7 PM. Follow DutchReview on Facebook for news about coronavirus in the Netherlands. 

Feature Image: Varun Kulkarni/Pixabay

Mayor of Rotterdam tests positive for coronavirus as daily cases reach record high

Brin Andrews
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0
Mayor of Rotterdam tests positive for coronavirus as daily cases reach record high

Today the Netherlands has set a new record for daily coronavirus infections, with 6,854 new cases. Rotterdam’s mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, is among them. This has been confirmed and reported by the municipality of Rotterdam.

A spokesperson for the mayor says that he’d had complaints since Friday evening and was tested with priority on Sunday, reports AD. Mayor Aboutaleb (59) has only minor complaints and will remain in isolation for seven days. He plans to continue to work from home.

It is not yet clear how the mayor contracted the virus or if he has unknowingly passed it on.

New daily infection record

With nearly 7,000 new daily cases in the Netherlands today, it’s clear that the previous coronavirus restrictions have not had the intended effect.

A press conference will be held tomorrow night announcing new measures. The objectives are expected to focus on minimising travel and interpersonal contact.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more coronavirus news in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities/flickr 

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