The number of positive coronavirus tests in the Netherlands rose sharply again in the 24 hours to Friday morning, reaching 10,949.  That is over 2,100 more than the average over the past week, according to figures from public health institute RIVM.

The rise means 62.7 people per 100,000 are now testing positive for coronavirus. The highest number recorded since the pandemic begun was 67.4, on December 22 last year, before the vaccination programme kicked off.

More people are also being tested. In the 24 hours to Friday, regional health boards carried out 63,430 tests, of which 16% were positive. That is up around 16,000 on the average number of tests in the past week.

Meanwhile, the number of hospital patients continues to rise and there are now 1,350 people being treated in either an ordinary ward or an IC unit. This is the highest total since May 29.

An average of 177 people a day are now being hospitalised, compared with 132 in the previous week. Currently, 286 people are in intensive care, 69 more than a week ago.

The national patient monitoring organisation LCPS said on Friday it has also begun moving patients to other areas to spread the pressure on hospitals.