The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands.

As of now, there are 34,842 confirmed cases, 708 more than yesterday. The number of hospitalizations has reached 10,021, an increase of 124 from the last count. There have also been 138 more deaths since yesterday, reaching a total of 4,054 deaths.

How many beds are left in the ICUs?

This is an important number — it’s a bit more accurate than deaths or hospitalizations, because these are often not reported on the day they occur. Luckily, the number of people in the ICUs has been falling for over a week now. Yesterday there were 1087 people in intensive care for coronavirus across the country.

Today 1087 patients related to the #coronavirus are on the intensive care. This is 71 less than yesterday and the tenth consecutive day with a decrease of occupied IC beds. This is the largest decrease since the start of the crisis.#coronavirusNL #coronaNederland pic.twitter.com/I3BbPtMlHB

— TAG (@itsTAGofficial) April 21, 2020

Healthcare workers to receive bonus

Healthcare workers will receive a bonus, the Minister for Finance announced yesterday. He said that while public displays of appreciation, like applause, were great, he wanted to compensate frontline workers financially as well. This has generally been really well received, but it isn’t fully clear when the bonus will be paid, and how much it will be.

Last night’s press conference: primary schools to reopen, but contact professions still cannot operate

Last evening, Prime Minister Rutte gave the long-awaited press conference that revealed how the corona rules will be relaxed over the coming weeks. There were five different decisions that the cabinet took about coronavirus, in deciding which rules could be relaxed, and which not.

Firstly, the cabinet has allowed primary schools to reopen — at least partially from May 11 onwards. Day-care and special primary education can open fully from the same date. Furthermore, some rules have been relaxed regarding children and playing sports.

Next, public gatherings and events are, as expected, cancelled until September 1. Contact professions such as hairdressers and masseurs are also still not allowed to return to work as yet. Finally, the rest of the measures (i.e. keeping a distance of 1.5 meters) will continue till May 20.

Why are schools being reopened?

At the press conference last night it was announced that primary schools would partially reopen after the May vacation. The RIVM director justified the decision by saying that children seem to get infected by the virus less often, and also generally have very mild symptoms.

7 ways to beat home isolation

Spending so much time at home in isolation can prove to be challenging. For most of us, this is our first experience of being indoors for such a long time, not to mention missing our usual restaurants, theatres, and friends. But there are some great ways to beat home isolation.

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Healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis can count on receiving some sort of a bonus, says the Minister of Finance, Wopke Hoekstra. 

The minister conveyed this information on Tuesday during his weekly conversation with RTLNieuws, LeidschDagblad reports.

“As a cabinet, we have always said that what all those professionals do is great, and that it their efforts deserve a reward, not just in the form of applause,” Hoekstra stated.

The tweet below illustrates the issue: “hourly wages in healthcare are far too low and are certainly not in proportion to the responsibilities associated with them,” so something needs to be done.

Daar kan de heer Hoekstra vast iets op vinden. Het uurloon in de zorg is veel te laag en is zeker niet in verhouding met de verantwoordelijkheden die daaraan gekoppeld zijn.

— Desiree Kersten (@DesireeKersten) April 22, 2020

Last month, the House of Representatives inquired about a possibility of a reward for healthcare workers. Consequently the Dutch cabinet was asked to explore the possibilities.

As of now, it remains unclear how exactly this “reward” will materialise. Hoekstra was reluctant to go into details regarding whether or not a bonus would be formalised in the “Spring Bill,” a tentative report for the financial year.

What is clear, however, is that it won’t just be a couple of people clapping hands.

Applause for healthcare workers

Right now, the whole world depends on healthcare workers that are relentlessly working day in, day out to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. Especially in areas that are hit particularly hard by the virus, these workers are working non-stop and risking their own health and lives in order to care for patients and ensure that the virus doesn’t spread.

In several instances, a city/nationwide applause was carried out to show appreciation towards healthcare professionals.

While this does show how much the public appreciates their work, a financial reward is far more concrete and well-deserved.

What else can we do to show our appreciation for healthcare workers during this difficult time? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Last night the Prime Minister announced that, among other measures, primary schools would open again from 11 May. They will begin with half the students coming in one day, and the other half the next. But why has the Netherlands decided to reopen schools in the first place?

Well, according to the RIVM director, Jaap van Dissel, it comes down to the fact that children seem to get the virus far less often, and far less severely, than adults. He also said that children were more likely to catch the virus from their parents, than parents to catch the virus from their children. All this combined means that “the impact on care, the children themselves and the families is relatively small.”

Children do seem to get infected less often than adults

The current population study, PIENTER, has shown that 3.6% of the population have caught coronavirus- or at least, 3.6% have antibodies against it. In children under 12 years of age, this is only 1%, leading researchers to believe that children do indeed get infected less often.

Teachers may be tested

Van Dissel also mentioned the possibility of testing teachers for the virus, as healthcare professionals are currently being tested. But that all depends on getting sufficient test capacity.

Not possible to draw up a risk free strategy, OMT says

There are mixed opinions about whether this is a good idea. Some parents, naturally, are concerned about sending their children to school. Even the OMT, the body that made these recommendations, is aware of the risks. “It is not possible to draw up a strategy based on scientific evidence to reopen society without this leading to a potentially uncontrollable spread of the virus.”

Relaxing some rules necessary for general welfare

However,  it has been judged that unless some rules are relaxed now, the consequences for the economy, people’s personal finances, and society in general will be too great. Nonetheless, although the RIVM director referenced several studies that had informed his decision, there is still a long way to go before we have a good understanding of how coronavirus affects children.

More data expected from Scandinavian countries on how coronavirus affects children

That data should come out of the Scandinavian countries over the next couple of weeks. Until then, the OMT has reached a compromise that primary schools should half-reopen: meaning that half the students come in one day, and the other half the next, alternating throughout the week.

Has the OMT broken its own rules?

Strictly speaking, the OMT has kind of broken its own rules by recommending this reopening, NOS points out. Previously, they and the government had stated that until three criteria were met, no rules could be relaxed. These three criteria were: the healthcare system should not be under such strain; there should be an infection rate of less than 1 for an extended period of time; and there should be sufficient testing capacity.

It seems, based on the current figures, that the first two conditions will be met by the end of the May vacation, when primary schools are set to reopen. But testing capacity still has quite a way to go, especially if teachers are to be tested like healthcare workers.

What are your thoughts on the government’s decision to reopen primary schools? Let us know in the comments below.

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This evening, Prime Minister Rutte gave the long awaited press conference that revealed how the corona rules will be relaxed over the coming weeks. 

Rutte: “Better to be cautious now than sorry later”

There were five different decisions that the cabinet took about coronavirus, in deciding which rules could be relaxed, and which not. Rutte emphasised that although the numbers of deaths, hospitalisations and ICU beds available have been improving, there is still an enormous amount of pressure on the healthcare system. Regular healthcare is still delayed for people with different illnesses, such as cancer. The situation in the nursing homes, he said, was also still worrying. In short, “it is better to be cautious now, than sorry later.”

Primary schools can begin to reopen on 11 May

The first decision the cabinet took was to allow primary schools to reopen- at least somewhat. They can reopen from 11 May, with one half of the class coming into school on one day, and the other half the next- this is to reduce the possibility of infection. Day-care and special primary education can open fully from the same date.

Under 12s can play team sports

Second came exercise and sport. Children under 12 can, from 28 April, play in team sports, and don’t need to try to keep to the 1.5m distance. Children between 12 and 18 can also play more sport outside, but must still keep to the 1.5m rule. Children should shower at home and parents shouldn’t line up to watch them play.

All public gatherings and events cancelled until 1 September

Public gatherings and events are, as expected, cancelled until 1 September. “At this point in time, we really can’t take the risk,” Rutte said. Football matches will also be cancelled until that date.

Contact professions still cannot operate

The fourth decision was about contact professions such as hairdressers and masseurs. These still cannot operate, because the risk is too great. The OMT will advise the government on the next steps for this industry, including on whether personal protective equipment will be necessary for them.

The rest of the rules are not changing

The fifth point was pretty much just a list of the rules that aren’t changing any time soon. They are as follows: Still no visitors are allowed to visit nursing homes. Everyone who can should continue to work from home, and to stay home as much as possible. Keep a 1.5m distance, keep washing your hands, stay at home with any cold symptoms and keep the whole family at home if one member has a fever. These are all extended until 20 May.

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The RIVM’s most recent coronavirus numbers are out. The recent downward trend of hospitalizations and deaths has come to an end, with today’s deaths and hospitalizations disappointingly higher than yesterday. 

As of today, there are 729 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of reported cases to 34,134.

There are 118 new hospitalisations, despite there only being 75 reported yesterday. That brings the new total to 9,897.

Finally, 164 new deaths have been reported, almost triple the number yesterday. The total mortality count for the Netherlands is now 3,916.

But the RIVM notes that on Tuesdays the number of deaths and reported hospital admissions is usually the highest of the week. This is because reports from Friday, Saturday and Sunday are processed only on Monday.

Sinds gisteren gemeld bij het RIVM:
– 118 mensen opgenomen in het ziekenhuis
– 165 mensen overleden
– 729 mensen positief getest

— RIVM (@rivm) April 21, 2020

OMT advises cabinet to gradually reopen schools, but public gatherings until September

The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has advised the cabinet to begin to reopen schools in May. Tonight, the Prime Minister will give a press conference, detailing the decision that the cabinet has taken about the next phase of the coronavirus crisis in the Netherlands.

Until 28 April, the current social distancing measures are in place. However, according to the OMT’s advice, public gatherings and events should be cancelled until 1 September, or even October. That’s bad news for any of you hoping for a late-summer festival or concert. Additionally, the OMT also advised for the catering, restaurant and cafe industry to remain closed until the middle of May, so don’t expect to go for a meal out any time soon.

New protocol might allow hairdressers to go back to work

One of the industries that has been majorly affected by the coronavirus crisis is hairdressing salons. A new protocol has been developed and proposed by two unions, CNV and FNV, with the help of hairdressing organisation ANKO, in order to allow hairdressers to get back to work.

One of the potential ways of re-opening hairdressers involves taking some necessary safety precautions. As such, both the hairdresser and the customer need to wear face masks, while the hairdresser also needs to wear gloves. Hairdressers will also need to keep a distance from each other within the salon.

How does coronavirus affect children in the Netherlands?

How does coronavirus affect children, and what role are children playing in the spread of the virus? These questions need to be considered before relaxing coronavirus measures becomes a possibility in the Netherlands.

As of now, it appears that children do not display severe symptoms of the infection. In fact, some cases are so mild that symptoms are not even present. Rarely does coronavirus result in a fever for children.

The Outbreak Management Team, which advises the Dutch cabinet, stated in their advice (issued April 14) that reopening primary schools and nurseries will not drastically affect the number of IC beds, since most cases among youth are mild. Thus, it has advised the cabinet to gradually begin reopening schools in May. 

Coronavirus Check app opens to public; infection tracking apps still not ready

Apps are a major part of the government’s plan to emerge from the coronavirus crisis. There has been significant progress on that this week, but also some setbacks.

The cabinet has said several times that there are three criteria the country must meet before the coronavirus rules are relaxed: the health system needs to not be overwhelmed any more; we need to have sufficient testing capacity, and we need a way of tracking who has been infected. It’s the last one that the apps are useful for, but finding a way to track who has been potentially infected without invading privacy is proving difficult.

OMT advice: children to return to daycare, schools will partially open, more space for youngsters

At 7 PM today we will get the official announcement about the current coronavirus measures in the Netherlands. We’ll get information about things such as until when will the deadline be extended and what measures will stay and which will be eased off.

Following the Scandinavian model, where they have already partially opened schools, the Netherlands might soon follow after the May holidays. Meanwhile, secondary schools may begin physical classes again.

The advice given in regards to sports differs from children, teenagers and professional athletes. Children, who are of maximum 12 years of age, can participate in sporting activities without thinking about the 1.5-meter distancing protocols. For professional athletes, individual training is allowed, varying from the type of sport they practice.

Stay tuned at 7 PM for the official announcement of the cabinet’s decision on the measures, which we will cover extensively for you, and follow DutchReview on Facebook for more. 

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At 7 PM today we will get the official announcement about the current coronavirus measures in the Netherlands. We’ll get information about things such as until when will the deadline be extended and what measures will stay and which will be eased off.

The advice given to the cabinet is made by the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), the team officially advising the cabinet on the measures to take during the coronavirus crisis. Among the different suggestions, one of the main topics is what to do about schools, reports NOS. It’s expected that the cabinet will largely follow this advice.

Read the full advisory in Dutch

Partial opening of schools

Following the Scandinavian model, where they have already partially opened schools, the Netherlands might soon follow after the May holidays.

The way this would work in practice is that there would only be half-days at schools or that children will go to school alternatively. Childcare and special primary education might potentially open without any sort of restrictions after the May holidays.

Meanwhile, secondary schools may begin physical classes again. But this will only happen if primary schools avoid another coronavirus outbreak for at least one month.

Sports: youths can play team sports again

The advice given in regards to sports differs from children, teenagers and professional athletes. Children, who are of maximum 12 years of age, can participate in sporting activities without thinking about the 1.5 meter distancing protocols.

Teenagers from the age of 12 and 18 can also participate in group sports but they need to keep the necessary distance.

For professional athletes, individual training is allowed, varying from the type of sport they practice. Group sports are however not advised, as there is a high risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

No visits to nursing homes

Unfortunately for those who have elderly in nursing homes, they will not be able to visit them because of the risk of bringing the virus from the outside. Visiting measures will therefore not be relaxed for the time being.

What about contact professions?

There’s not a lot of consensus in the OMT on what to do with regards to contact professions, as the risk of exposure varies from job to job. For example, OMT says a dentist could manage their risk better than a hairdresser.

The cabinet will need to decide individually on all of the above factors, and part of making the decision is making sure that the hospitals do not become overwhelmed and that hospital admission numbers continue to fall.

Stay tuned at 7 PM for the official announcement of the cabinet’s decision on the measures, which we will cover extensively for you.

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Apps are a major part of the government’s plan to emerge from the coronacrisis. There has been significant progress on that this week, but also some setbacks.

The cabinet has said several times that there are three criteria the country must meet before the coronavirus rules are relaxed: the health system needs to not be overwhelmed any more; we need to have sufficient testing capacity, and we need a way of tracking who has been infected. It’s the last one that the apps are useful for, but finding a way to track who has been potentially infected without invading privacy is proving difficult.

Appathon fails to produce suitable app for tracking infections

Last weekend, there was an “appathon” to try out some apps that had been developed to track just that: they would be of most use in determining if the user had come into contact with someone else who had been confirmed as infected. Of course, that sort of information is crucial in stopping the spread of the virus, but it’s also quite invasive.

Privacy is a major concern

De Volkskrant reports that generally, security services are encouraging the government to approach the app problem with less haste and more thought. For example, the country where the app is developed should be looked into, as well as the way the app stores data. The House of Representatives will discuss these apps and their possibilities on Wednesday.

OLVG app opens to the public

However, there is another app that has been opened to the public: it helps doctors diagnose coronavirus in patients, which should go some way to unburdening the healthcare system. You input your symptoms, and they’re checked against RIVM guidelines on coronavirus symptoms, NOS reports. If they match, a doctor will call you, and the diagnostic procedure can proceed as normal. However, at the moment, those with mild symptoms are still not being tested and merely advised to stay home.

This app was originally developed by the OLVG hospital in Amsterdam and is called the Corona Check App. It was launched over a month ago, and over 100,000 people have used it. Originally it was just being used by hospitals around the country, but now it is open to everyone. 50 employees at the OLVG are monitoring it.

What are your thoughts on apps being used to diagnose and track coronavirus? Let us know in the comments below.

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