The annual flu epidemic has started, but the number of coronavirus cases is declining, figures collected by public health institute RIVM have shown.

The flu figures, based on reports from a network of family doctors, show that more people have been falling ill with flu in recent days.

Last week, some 70 in 100,000 people who had flu-like symptoms were found to have the virus compared to 57 in 100,000 in the previous week. An epidemic is official if over 56 people in 100,000 are found to have flu for two weeks in a row.

At the same time, the number of people with Covid is declining. The number of people who saw their doctor with the virus has fallen from 54 in 100,000 just before Christmas last year to 20 in 100,000 this week.

The volume of virus particles in waste water – an important indication of how the virus is spreading – also fell 28% after reaching an all-time high over the holiday period.

Fewer people are also being admitted to hospital with the virus, according to the latest edition of the government’s coronavirus dashboard.