More than 7,600 coronavirus cases were recorded in the Netherlands in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, a rise of nearly 30% week on week.

The number of Covid-19 patients fell by 11 to 2,187, of whom 625 are being treated in intensive care, an increase of two. Both figures have returned to levels last seen in the first week of February.

The RIVM reported 7,624 new infections on Wednesday, raising the seven-day average figure to 6,811 – its highest level since January 13. The positive test rate increased by 0.1% to 8.1%.

In the last 24 hours 31 people were confirmed to have died as a result of Covid-19 infections, against a seven-day average of 30.

The virus is continuing to decline in nursing homes, with 232 locations reporting at least one infection in the last 14 days. A week ago the number of infected homes was 273.