The number of positive coronavirus tests registered with public health institute RIVM fell by almost 1,000 to 5,703 in the 24 hours to 10am on Sunday.

The 15% drop may be partly explained by weekend reporting delays, but nevertheless, the average over the past three days is 6,555 per day, broadcaster RTL calculated.

The number of hospital patients continues to decline, dropping 89 in 24 hours to 2,295. Of them, 589 are being treated in intensive care, down four on Saturday’s total.

‘The number of Covid-19 patients is going down quickly and that is offering space for regular treatment,’ Ernst Kuipers, head of the national patient coordination centre said.

Last Tuesday it became clear that the number of new infections is falling, as the partial lockdown introduced by the government in mid October begins to have a real effect. The RIVM will give its next weekly update on Tuesday.

Behaviour

Meanwhile, four in five people in the Netherlands say they have been sticking strictly to the coronavirus rules for the past two weeks, according to a poll carried out by DVJ Insights on behalf of RTL Nieuws.

Almost three quarters say they always wear a face mask inside public buildings and do not make social visits to friends and family. And four in five say they are only going out if it is essential or to get some fresh air.

Despite this, many people report that it is too busy in supermarkets and shops (63%) and 68% said the rules are being widely ignored by others. And 70% think the police and local authorities should get tougher on people who don’t follow social distancing and other regulations.