The number of people who are or who have been hospitalised with coronavirus almost hit 4,000 overnight, the public health institute RIVM said in its Monday update.

In total, 507 new patients were admitted to hospital, a slight drop on Sunday’s figure,  taking the total to 3,990, the RIVM said. The death toll from coronavirus rose by 93 to 864, although the true figure is likely to be higher because only people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus are included in the figures.

The number of positive tests rose by 884 to 11,750. Testing in the Netherlands is largely confined to people with serious symptoms and healthcare staff.

Coloured gridlines represent exponential growth rates. Red = 41.5% (doubles in 2 days); Blue = 26.0% (3 days); Orange = 18.9% (4 days); Green = 14.9% (5 days); Purple = 12.6% (6 days); Yellow = 10.4% (7 days). All figures sourced from @RIVM. pic.twitter.com/JiBB13ZEox

— Gordon Darroch (@GordonDarroch) March 30, 2020

Meanwhile, Diederik Gommers, chairman of the Dutch intensive care association, has told broadcaster NOS there will be 2,400 intensive care beds available for coronavirus patients within a week.

There are currently beds for some 1,000 corona patients and 500 with other serious health problems. ‘Everyone is working flat out,’ Gommers said.

Deadline

Earlier on Monday it emerged that the Dutch government is planning to extend the deadline for lifting social distancing measures because of coronavirus.

Ministers are due to announce tomorrow if the closure of cafés, restaurants and schools should be continued and various government sources told Dutch media outlets the deadline will be stretched beyond the current April 6 deadline.

It is not yet clear if any new restrictions will be imposed.

Efforts to encourage people stay home appear to have been working over the weekend, according to the police. A few dozen people were fined for breaking the rules on social distancing but most obeyed the 1.5 metre distance restriction, police said in a statement.