The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands for Sunday April 12, the 1st day of Easter. The new number is 25,587 cases. This is an increase of 1,188 cases since yesterday’s count, with 94 more deaths (total: 2737) and 196 more hospitalisations (8582 in total). 

For what it’s worth, that’s fewer deaths and roughly the same number of hospitalisations as yesterday: but it’s important to remember that the numbers might be off by a bit, as the RIVM itself also has reported. Testing is not widespread enough to give us a good idea of how many people are infected, and recoveries are not currently being recorded. Furthermore, deaths and hospitalisations are not always reported on the day they occur. The numbers do show a trend though, hence why we keep reporting on them.

IC beds in the Netherlands

What is important is the number of intensive care units that are occupied left, because having enough capacity is crucial to stopping unnecessary deaths. This was the situation yesterday:

Today 1391 patients related to the #coronavirus are on the intensive care. This is a slight increase with respect to yesterday (+7), but still below the level of two days ago. #coronavirusNL #covid19NL #coronaNederland pic.twitter.com/8Oe641Ni66

— TAG (@itsTAGofficial) April 11, 2020

Here’s hoping you’re all having a healthy, happy and indoorsy Easter

The Netherlands isn’t really big on Easter, but we do celebrate it (painting eggs and chocolate eggs on day 1, ‘furniture boulevards’ on Monday – let’s all not do that this time). However, this time around we do miss our families and loved ones to enjoy a nice brunch with. It must especially be hard for all you internationals here during these coronavirus days, missing your families for such a long time now. So on behalf of every one of DutchReview, Happy Easter! Stay inside and look after each other and next time we’ll be, hopefully, sitting and feasting with our loved ones as we should.

Also, gourmetten with your social isolation buddies is still a good thing to do.

How are you celebrating Easter this year? Do you care at all? How is your coronavirus anxiety coming along? Feel welcome to leave anything in the comments

The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands, for Saturday, April 11. There are now 24,413 cases throughout the country, 189 new hospitalizations and 132 new deaths.

While the number of cases has continued to increase, there has been some good news nevertheless throughout the week.

Update 11 April (thread)

1.316 new confirmed cases (total: 24.413)
132 new fatalities (total: 2.643)
189 new hospitalisations (total: 8.386)

Map shows cases and hospitalisations per Dutch municipality.#coronakaart #coronavirusNL #COVID19NL pic.twitter.com/9cQErmLRiF

— TAG (@itsTAGofficial) April 11, 2020

107-year-old woman recovers from coronavirus

The coronavirus is especially dangerous towards older people, but a Dutch woman proved her resilience in front of the virus.

She is, in fact, the oldest person in the world to recover from the virus. She probably contracted during a church service at her nursing home where 40 other people got sick.

She is now in stable condition.

The Netherlands has increased its testing capacity to 17,500 tests per day

The Netherlands was initially slow when it came to their testing capabilities. Until recently, the country only had a testing capacity of 5000 tests per day.

The country has now massively extended its testing capabilities, with 41 testing labs from the initial 15. The country can now conduct 17,500 tests per day, and if need be, the labs can run for 24 hours, allowing for 29,000 daily tests.

General practitioners are also allowed now to conduct tests on prospective patients.

Two dutchies invent coronavirus emojis

To end up on a light-hearted note, a Dutch couple, while in the boredom of their quarantine, decided to invent emojis specifically made for the coronavirus.

The emojis have everything you need, from working at home in your pijamas to calling your grandmother and everything in between. If you want to give them a download, you can do so here. All donations go to the Red Cross.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for all coronavirus-related news in the Netherlands.

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The RIVM has published the latest numbers about the coronavirus in the Netherlands for Friday, April 10.

As of now, there are 1,335 new cases, 225 new hospitalizations and 115 more deaths since the last count. Although still grim, RIVM says the trend in daily figures shows that containment measures are having an effect.

It brings the Dutch totals to more than 23,000 confirmed cases, over 8000 hospital admissions, and a death toll of 2,511. However, the Dutch Bureau of Statistics estimates the mortality rate could be twice as high as the official figures due to a lack of testing.

Total number of hospitalisations and cases of #COVIDー19 per Dutch province:#coronanederland #coronakaart #coronavirusNL pic.twitter.com/WDR1ggPSIy

— TAG (@itsTAGofficial) April 10, 2020

Here’s a nice tweet that shows the continued importance of social distancing:

Wat een goed filmpje van het 'RIVM' van Ohio. pic.twitter.com/wNtuLMshZP

— Ron Vorstermans (@RonVorstermans) April 10, 2020

Call for singing the national anthem on King’s Day

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has made a call on social media so that people sing the national anthem on King’s Day.

The movement can be found on social media under the #Wilhelmus2020, so if you want to go out at 10 AM on the balcony and film yourself while doing it, you can share your patriotic deeds with the hashtag.

500 billion euros to be given to EU countries to tackle the coronavirus

Over the past few weeks, Italy and the Netherlands have been in a constant quarrel over giving financial support to countries that are hard-hit by the coronavirus. After accusations of lacking solidarity, the Netherlands and specifically Minister Hoekstra have backtracked on some of their decisions.

It’s been decided to allow 500 billion euros to be lent for countries dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Part of the sum will be made available for EU countries to use for medical or non-medical reasons, another part of the sum is destined to small and medium businesses, and the rest is for those who’ve become unemployed due to the crisis.

Study shows that distancing of 1.5 metres is not always enough to prevent spread

Some researchers from KU Leuven and TU Delft discovered that the 1.5 metre distancing is not always that effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Specifically, the rule works only if people are inside or if there is only light wind outside. Otherwise, people who are walking, running and biking outside still risk infection, due to the droplets that contain the virus which float through the wind.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for all coronavirus-related news in the Netherlands.

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Even if you’ve been scrupulous about keeping a 1.5 metre distance from other people, you could still have been spreading germs if you’re running or biking, a Dutch-Belgian study has found. 

Researchers from KU Leuven and TU Eindhoven have discovered that actually, the 1.5m rule is only effective when people are standing still inside, or outside in an area with light wind. It all comes down to what we have decided to scientifically term the “snotty slipstream”.

Although there are some significant doubts to the foundations of the scientific work here (a peer-review hasn’t been published yet)*. Let’s have a look at what’s going on here.

How does the snotty slipstream actually work?

When you walk, run, or bike past someone, you’re moving faster than the air around you, so you end up leaving a trail of particles behind you in a slipstream. Even if you’re not coughing or sneezing, the air you breath out also contains particles. The person running, walking, or biking behind you will be doing so in a slipstream of these droplets.

If you’re with one other person doing these activities- so you’re running, walking, or biking alongside each other- the particles will land behind you, so at least you won’t be infecting each other if you’re 1.5m apart.

Fast biking requires 20m of space between bikers to be safe

So, is there a new safe distance to keep from others as we do these activities? There is, but it’s not really possible to carry out in practice. If you have people walking the same direction in a line, the safe distance between them is 4-5m. If you’re running or gently biking, it should be 10m, and for fast biking, 20m. That is A LOT of space, and keeping to that distance is nigh on impossible in real life.

That’s even more the case if you want to overtake someone while you’re biking: you need to be 20m away from them horizontally as well. Maybe I’m inexperienced, but I have never seen a bike lane wider than 3m. So. This seems impossible to achieve. Another reason to stay home as much as possible.

*But, it’s research in the coronavirus era

After we published this (because if you can’t trust a Belgian newspaper then who can you trust?) one of our dear readers commented that Vice wrote an article that the scientific base wasn’t as solid as we would all want it to be. There was apparently no peer-reviewed paper published and the main scientist involved (Professor Blocken) just gave an interview to a Belgian publication.

A peer-reviewed paper is yet to follow, but as the Vice article reads – this crucial step was delayed because they wanted to get this possible vital piece of information out there as quick as possible. Hmm, we’ll keep our eyes on this matter, but in any case (coronavirusnews, studies or going outside for a run) it’s good to be critical, cautious and use common sense.

And don’t cough in supermarkets, kids

In other news, the Daily Mail has cemented its reputation as a reliable news source by claiming that a single cough can spread germans across the entire supermarket, which no one wants, of course.

Beste autocorrectfout ooit. pic.twitter.com/OsZIf1DI0v

— ᵣₒᵥᵢₙ (@Nyrovin) April 9, 2020

Have you ever coughed and spread Germans across two supermarket aisles? Let us know in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Free-Photos/Pixabay

The cancellation of King’s Day this year came as a disappointment to everyone, though it is completely understandable in the current situation. Luckily, the Concertgebouw Orchestra has a plan to raise everyone’s spirits: uncoordinated amateur singing at 10am on King’s Day. 

Nonetheless, we are expecting to see some sort of celebration, although it will be celebrated entirely from home, and is more symbolic than anything else, reports RTL Nieuws.

The Wilhelmus on King’s Day

The Concertgebouw Orchestra has called on social media that people sing the national anthem of the Netherlands, the Wilhelmus, on King’s Day. To achieve this purpose, the musicians of the Orchestra have even shared the different parts of the anthem on their official website.

#Wilhelmus2020 – Speel net als de musici van het #Concertgebouworkest op maandag 27 april om 10:00 uur het Wilhelmus vanaf je balkon, uit het raam of in je tuin!
► Meer informatie en bladmuziek: https://t.co/J8veah5Edz#Koningsdag #Koningsdag2020 pic.twitter.com/ullsIcIMff

— Concertgebouworkest (@ConcertgbOrkest) April 9, 2020

The hashtag #Wilhelmus2020 can be used by those who want promote this, uh, interesting addition to King’s Day on social media. On King’s Day itself, you can use the hashtag when posting videos of yourself on the balcony demonstrating your love for the Dutch nation (or how badly you can sing, depends). It’s not yet clear how this is going to go over with our sober Dutchies.

Landgenoten, uw Vorst verwacht u op 27 april om 10.00 uur op uw balkon of in uw tuin, om gezamenlijk het #Wilhelmus te zingen, ter ere van Onze verjaardag. U heeft nog ruim de tijd om alle 15 coupletten te leren. Begint u met een couplet per dag. https://t.co/oHuzOAlRSE

— Willem-Alexander (@Koning_NL) April 9, 2020

But according to Willem-Alexander, if you learn a couple of verses each day from now til the 27th April, you should be just about ready to frighten the life out of the pigeons.

This potentially-nationwide croaking will start on King’s Day at 10:00 AM- usually, that’s when musical groups will play the anthem, and it’s the perfect time of day to make loud noise, as well.

Beter laat je mij gewoon slapen en ga je niet staan zingen OM 10 UUR IN DE OCHTENDhttps://t.co/PD1VZXOyRf

— QuaranTinie (@schildpadkat) April 10, 2020

Some Dutchies have expressed mild concern that this 10am singing requirement might be a little early for those of us who have a low tolerance for bullshit in the mornings.

Ah, ophef over het zingen van het Wilhelmus. Als we ons nu dáár druk over maken, slaan we ons behoorlijk goed door de crisis heen.

— Nicolien Badura (@nicolienbadura) April 9, 2020

Others were glad to see that Dutchies have built up mental resilience and strength over the last three weeks of coronavirus crisis, and are not even slight fazed by this new addition to a treasured celebration of an inherently flawed institution.

Zangers van het Wilhelmus moeten vooral hun gang gaan maar ik zet wel een fijn album, best hard, op om die ellende niet te hoeven horen. Als waardering voor degenen die het verdienen.

— Peter Baak (@peerwereld) April 9, 2020

Peter here is planning on accompanying the Wilhelmus singers with a selection of his own favourite songs, none of which are the Wilhelmus, blasting from his speakers.

We kunnen deze crisis ook aangrijpen om het zelfs voor de 17e eeuw omstreden Wilhelmus te vervangen door een volkslied dat wel de ziel van dit land weergeeft.

— Erdal Balci (@ErdalBalci9) April 9, 2020

On a more serious and practical note, maybe this crisis is the perfect time to introduce a new, non-17th century anthem, which actually reflects the Netherlands today?

If you’d like to know more about the Wilhelmus and its origin as the national anthem of the Netherlands, give our article a check.

Will you be out on your balcony singing the national anthem on King’s Day? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: hanspetersmits/Pixabay

The RIVM has just reported 1,213 new cases of coronavirus in the Netherlands. This brings the total number of infected persons to 21,762. Additionally, 148 new deaths resulting from the virus have been reported. The total mortality count is now 2,396. Finally, 237 new people have been hospitalised, which means 7,962 in total.

Sinds gisteren zijn er:
– 237 ziekenhuisopnamen gemeld
– 148 overledenen gemeld
– 1.213 mensen positief getest

Deze mensen zijn niet allemaal in de afgelopen 24 uur in het ziekenhuis opgenomen of overleden. #coronavirus #COVID19 https://t.co/o3hpjF8yKS

— RIVM (@rivm) April 9, 2020

Compared to yesterday’s data, there are more reported cases of coronavirus. However, less people have been hospitalised (81 less today). Thus, the downward trend of the growth rate for coronavirus hospitalisations in the Netherlands continues. The death count has not changed significantly (147 yesterday compared to 148).

The RIVM notes that not all people have been hospitalised or have died in the pat 24 hours as there may be a lag in the reporting of the data. Furthermore, the past few days have shown a slower increase in numbers that what they would be if no social distancing measures were taken.

This is why it is crucial for everyone to do their part and respect the social distancing rules.

Here’s whats new from DutchReview over the past day:

The number of coronavirus patients in IC units has gone down for the first time

Yesterday, it was reported that the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units across the Netherlands has decreased for the first time. Today, sixteen less patients are in IC units compared to yesterday.

A total of 1408 patients are currently in intensive care, and for the first time, it appears that more people have left these units than have joined.

The oldest coronavirus patient to recover comes from the Netherlands

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 107 year-old Cornelia Ras from Goeree-Overflakee in the province of South Holland, is the oldest coronavirus patient ever to have recovered.

Ras likely contracted the virus during a church service at her nursing home, where 40 other people were also infected, and at least 10 did not survive. However, she has made a full recovery.

Is the 1.5 meter distance the new normal? And how long will people keep to it?

At a press conference yesterday, Mark Rutte stated that we have seek out a new normal in our current society, as the social distancing measures will continue for some time.

How will people deal with following these new rules in the long-term? The longer they will last, the harder it will be for people to deal with them, according to social psychologist Tom Postmes.

Postmes explains three stages of disaster situations, eventually explaining that people let go of the rules completely.

Second arrest made after police officer was bitten and attacked in Rotterdam-West

Currently, police have the power to fine people who are not respecting the social distancing rules- keeping to a 1.5 metre distance from one another, not going out in groups of three or more. A second suspect has been arrested for biting and abusing a police officer in Rotterdam (the first arrest was made right after the incident took place).

Police officers were attacked by the group, kicked when they were on the ground, and one was bitten. According to the police, this incident has had “a significant impact” on the police officers in question, which is especially understandable in the current situation.

How will coronavirus affect the economy? 5% contraction expected by Rabobank

Rabobank has released its predictions (following in the footsteps of other banks) for what the Dutch economy will look like after the coronacrisis.

The best case scenario is that the economy shrinks by 5%. That’s assuming that normal life resumes on 1 June, but that’s generally understood to be an optimistic assumption. More than likely, at least some social distancing measures will continue into the autumn, with schools and contact businesses like hairdressers to reopen first.

Half of the patients in the dementia wing of a Rotterdam nursing home have died from coronavirus

Horrible news this morning: more than half the residents of a wing of the Rotterdam nursing home De Leeuwenhoek have died, likely from coronavirus. The affected wing houses patients who suffer from dementia.

It is unclear why this wing has been so badly affected, and despite appearances, it is also unclear if the nursing home has actually done anything wrong in its reaction to the virus.

Our thoughts and prayers go to these patients and their families.

Horrible news this morning: more than half the residents of a wing of the Rotterdam nursing home De Leeuwenhoek have died, likely from coronavirus, NRC reports. The affected wing houses patients who suffer from dementia. 

At the moment, it has been confirmed by the nursing home that “a large number of residents have since died.” Sources speaking to NRC around the nursing home say that in the affected wing, fifteen people have died so far. However, the number will likely increase over the coming days. In other wings of the nursing home, there are also reports of illness and death linked to coronavirus, but these wings are not yet as badly affected as the dementia wing.

Staff and patients of the nursing home have now been tested for coronavirus, with a quarter of the 72 current patients testing positive, in addition to a quarter of the staff.

Attempts to isolate patients failed

It is unclear why this wing has been so badly affected, and despite appearances, it is also unclear if the nursing home has actually done anything wrong in its reaction to the virus. There are several factors at play, including the fact that dementia patients have different needs from other inhabitants of nursing homes. This has decreased the effectiveness of measures like isolation- residents with dementia tend to wander around, which led to those who were infected being in contact with those who were not.

Staff were advised not to wear face masks initially

In a statement to NRC, the manager of the nursing home confirmed this. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to prevent infected residents from leaving their rooms, which meant that there was no longer a safe situation [with regard to] controlling the outbreak.” Furthermore, staff were initially advised not to wear face masks, because this would confuse and frighten the residents. It was also difficult for staff to explain coronavirus to residents.

Nursing home was not prepared, relatives say

However, relatives of patients at the nursing home have claimed that there were areas where the nursing home was at fault. They spoke anonymously to NRC and stated that the management of the nursing home was not prepared for a possible coronavirus outbreak, and that additionally, the nursing home had done too little to prevent residents getting infected and infecting others.

Not enough face masks for staff

There were not enough face masks for the staff, meaning that they would have to wear the same one for an extended period of time, often while crossing from an infected area of the nursing home to an uninfected one. Furthermore, the same staff members worked in both infected and uninfected areas, relatives and sources inside the nursing home claim.

No “late response” or “too little action,” nursing home claims

The management of the nursing home, on the other hand, claims that staff have sufficient protective equipment and are not allowed to work in other wings of the nursing home. They also state unequivocally that the nursing home “acted no differently than at other locations or at other care institutions” and followed RIVM and GGD guidelines. They deny that there was a “late response” or “too little action” taken.

General concerns about nursing homes in the Netherlands

There is a huge amount of concern in the Netherlands about the situation in nursing homes generally. They have been closed to visitors from the public since 20 March. There are widespread suspicions that nursing homes are underreporting coronavirus infections and deaths, so it is unclear at the moment whether De Leeuwenhoek is an exception or the rule.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for all news about the coronavirus in the Netherlands.

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