A total of 10,345 new coronavirus cases were reported to the public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, the highest figure since December 25 last year.

Saturday’s total is up 3,390 on Friday’s figure, when the government announced it was bringing back restrictions on the hospitality sector and closing night clubs again. The rules were relaxed on June 26 and since then the number of infections has soared.

On Friday, prime minister Mark Rutte said that the decision to relax the rules, when around 500 infections a day were being reported, was a responsible one, given what was known at the time.

The number of people being treated in hospital is currently stable at around 200, while 82 of them are in an intensive care ward.

Saturday’s coronavirus infections in NL: 10,345
Last Saturday: 1,125 (+819.6%)
7-day average weekly increase: +444.4%
Positive tests: 10.6%
Cases in last 28 days: 47,479
Vaccine doses: 17,625,182
Fully vaccinated: 40.57%
Covid-19 patients in hospital: 205 (-1)
In ICU: 82 (-4) pic.twitter.com/DYS49T2J0F

— Gordon Darroch (@GordonDarroch) July 10, 2021

Nevertheless, even though it is mainly youngsters who are being infected at the moment, there is no guarantee that hospital admissions won’t increase in the coming weeks, RIVM chief Jaap van Dissel told broadcaster NOS.

The summer recess officially started on Friday but MPs will be back at the Binnenhof on Wednesday for a debate on the growing coronavirus crisis. The debate will be held in the Knights Hall from 1pm.

These are the current stats for coronavirus infections (per 100000 residents) in my city. pic.twitter.com/DBiLf4nvig

— Prof Anna Watts (@drannawatts) July 10, 2021