In total, 585 new coronavirus infections were reported to the public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Monday morning, the lowest figure since September last year.

Monday usually has fewer positive cases than the rest of the week because of the weekend time lag in reporting.

Nevertheless, this Monday’s total is still well below the 864 average over the past week. On the basis of this figure, the Netherlands has just over three confirmed cases per 100,000 people and is almost in the green zone.

Last week’s average was itself down 35% on the previous seven-day period.

Meanwhile, the number of people being treated in hospital dropped to below 500 on Monday, the national patient monitor LCPS said. Of them, 197 are being treated in an intensive care ward. On Friday there were 218 people in an IC unit.

The vaccination total has also reached around 14 million, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.