99 primary school teachers, support workers test positive for Covid-19

The Dutch official coronavirus death toll rose by 15 to 5,871 on Wednesday, the public health institute RIVM said.

The number of hospitalisations rose by seven to 11,697 while a further 190 people tested positive for the virus, taking that total to 45,768.

The RIVM has also published the first results of low-threshold testing among primary school teachers with symptoms, which started on May 6 as schools prepared to reopen.

Of the 2,100 teachers and support staff who have had tests in ‘drive through testing centres’ because they had mild symptoms of coronavirus up to May 25, just 2.8% have tested positive.

In total, 99 primary school teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 so far this month, the RIVM said. This figure includes all school staff tested in hospitals, by their family doctor or in a drive-through centre. One of the 99 people to test positive has been admitted to hospital.

The RIVM said it is keeping a close eye on the figures, as secondary schools are also due to reopen next week.

Note: this article was updated to clarify the total number of positive tests and percentages.