Public health institute RIVM recorded a new record number of positive coronavirus tests in the 24 hours to Sunday morning, but the number of people being treated in hospital continues to decline.

In total, 36,308 new cases were registered with the RIVM, the highest ever figure. The increase takes the average over the past week to 32,305, 27% up on the previous seven day period.

The number of positive cases may be rising but the number of people being treated in hospital continues to go down, falling to 1,218 by Sunday morning. Of them, 312 people are in an IC ward.

In total, 105 new patients were admitted to hospital, of whom 90 are being treated in an ordinary ward.

Ministers warned on Friday that relaxing some of the coronavirus rules – by reopening all shops, fitness centres and colleges – could send the number of daily infections as high as 80,000.