Netherlands records more than 16,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours

The Netherlands recorded its highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day on Thursday, with 16,324 people testing positive for the disease.

The figure is more than 3,000 higher than the previous record set on December 20 last year, at the peak of the second wave. The seven-day average also rose to an all-time high of 12,319.

The number of patients in hospital was 1,699, an increase of 52 since Wednesday, of whom 330 are in intensive care.

The public health agency RIVM also reported another 26 deaths on Thursday, against an average of 24 over the last seven days. A week ago the average number of deaths announced per day was 18.

Prime minister Mark Rutte and health minister Hugo de Jonge will give a press conference on Friday evening where they are expected to announce ‘lockdown-style’ measures including the closure of theatres and cinemas, restricted numbers at events such as football matches and earlier closing times for bars and restaurants.

The CoronaCheck pass is also likely to be limited to people with proof of vaccination or recent infection, the ‘2G’ system that is already being used in countries such as Germany and Austria.