Coronavirus infection rate shows steady decline, as IC beds are increased

The public health institute RIVM received 7,716 reports of new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning, down 93 on Thursday’s total.

The weekly average is also declining and now stands at 6,706 cases per day, down 8% on the previous seven-day period.

There has also been a slight drop in the number of people being treated in hospital for coronavirus, with the total now standing at 2,495.

However, the acute care authority LNAZ has said it is increasing capacity in intensive care wards by 100 beds to 1,550 to cope with an expected rise in patient numbers. The number of IC beds has already been increased twice since the pandemic began.

On average 15 more patients are ending up in intensive care every day and the total now is nearing 800.

The increase in the number of intensive care beds will have an impact on regular care, officials say.

The health ministry estimates that 3.1 million doses of vaccine have now been given to people in the Netherlands, since the roll-out started in January.