Carnival, winter sports and no rules: coronavirus cases rise

Positive coronavirus test. Photo: DutchNews.nl
A positive coronavirus test. Photo: DutchNews.nl

The number of positive coronavirus tests registered in the Netherlands reached over 48,500 in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, and that is the highest number in two weeks.

The combination of winter sports holidays, the carnival celebrations and the end of most coronavirus measures are likely to be behind the increase, health experts say.

There has also been a sharp rise in the number of tests being taken – 90,000 compared with 67,000 on Tuesday, the figures show.

Test capacity is now being expanded in Limburg in order to meet demand and the three health boards in Brabant have also warned they expect a rise in positive tests because of carnival and the relaxation of social distancing rules.

In one part of Brabant, 5,000 people booked a test in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, compared with around 2,000 a day in the previous week.

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