There was a 2% rise in the number of positive coronavirus tests in the week to Tuesday 10am, when compared with the previous seven days, the public health institute RIVM said.

In total, 55,097 new infections were recorded last week, compared with 53,981 in the week before.

The number of tests taken was virtually unchanged at just under 500,000, while the percentage of positive tests rose from 10.1% to 10.6%.

The number of hospital admissions is, however, stabilising, the RIVM said. Despite this, the national patient monitor LCPS said 335 people had been admitted to hospital in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, the highest number since the first wave.

In total, 2,597 people are being treated for coronavirus in hospital, of whom 820 are in an intensive care ward.

The biggest percentage rise in infections was among the under 12s, where the number of positive tests rose 12%. Most infections, however, are to found in 18 to 24-year-olds.