Another 4,610 coronavirus infections were reported on Monday by the public health agency RIVM, 987 fewer than on Sunday but more than on the previous day.

The daily number has fluctuated between 4,000 and 6,000 for the last three weeks, but the longer-term trend has started to move downwards after almost slowing to a halt a week ago. Over the last seven days cases have diminished by an average of 8.6%.

The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital increased by 21 to 1,721, but the number being treated in intensive care was down from 506 to 481.

Another 29 people were reported to have died from coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing the total to 9,376. Some deaths are not recorded in the figures until several weeks after they occur.

Infections in nursing homes are also declining, with 594 institutions recording an infection in the past two weeks compared with 643 a week ago.