Another 3,416 coronavirus infections were reported by the public health agency RIVM in the last 24 hours, bringing the seven-day average figure back above the 3,600 mark.

Cases have levelled off in the last week, although the suspension of testing during February’s snowstorm resulted in artificially low numbers at the start of last week.

The number of patients in hospital has fallen marginally from 1926 to 1919 since Tuesday, while 520 people are being treated in intensive care, a decline of six.

The RIVM also reported 89 Covid 19-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest number for a single day since January 22, as well as 88 on Tuesday. The seven-day average figure stands at 62, two higher than a week ago. Some deaths are not included in the figures until several weeks after they occur.

Infections are continuing to decline in nursing homes, with 489 institutions reporting a new infection in the last two weeks, compared to 551 a week ago.