The number of people in hospital with coronavirus in the Netherlands topped 1,000 on Friday, for the first time since June 5.

Of them, 217 are on an intensive care ward, a rise of 14 on Thursday’s total, national patient monitor LCPS said.

At the same time, the number of positive cases dropped slightly to 7,439 in the 24 hours to Friday morning. Nevertheless, the figure is still 944 more than the average over the past week. Some 15.6% of tests are also now proving positive.

The new figures were published as ministers met to try to decide what to do about the surge in the number of cases, which started after most measures were lifted on September 25.

According to RTL Nieuws, no decision is likely to be taken on Friday and more talks are scheduled over the weekend, ahead of Tuesday’s press conference.

Meanwhile, a survey by pensioners’ union ANBO found that 90% of its members back the reintroduction of some measures, including a return to social distancing, face masks in shops and more checks on the use of the coronavirus pass QR code.

The QR code is compulsory for cafes, bars and restaurants and other busy places but in many places, no-one is checking them. And so far few places have been warned about failing to check the codes.

No fines

Trouw reported on Friday that no fines have yet been issued in the 20 cities it looked at, and only a couple have imposed any other sanctions on cafes which have been flouting the regulations.

According to public health institute RIVM, some three quarters of those hospitalised are not vaccinated, nor are 83% of people in intensive care. Nearly 84% of the over-17s in the Netherlands have now been fully jabbed.

In the Bible Belt town of Staphorst, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, the council is placing air filters in all primary school classrooms – a total of 250. The aim is to try to prevent the spread of the virus among both children and teachers.