The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Netherlands rose by 121 to 503 on Wednesday, while the death toll increased by one to five, according to new figures from national health institute RIVM.

The sharp rise is due to the inclusion of healthcare workers in Noord-Brabant following tests on 1,000 hospital staff with mild symptoms in an effort to establish the spread of the disease in the province. Some 4% of those tests were positive, the RIVM said.

The RIVM told DutchNews.nl earlier on Wednesday that some 10,000 tests have been carried out so far.

Coronavirus in the Netherlands: what you need to know (update March 11)

Almost half the total number of patients – 223 – are from Noord-Brabant province, which continues to outstrip the rest of the country in terms of infections. Utrecht has the next most infections – 66 – followed by Zuid Holland (57) and Limburg (48).

The RIVM has an interactive map showing where corona infections are being confirmed.

Of the total known cases, 199 patients picked up up their infections abroad, mainly in northern Italy and the source of 92 infections has not yet been established, the RIVM said.

All five people to die in the Netherlands were elderly and had underlying serious health issues.

More to follow

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