Infection Cases Soar And Burden Hospitals, The Netherlands Announces Details Of COVID-19 Restrictions Tomorrow

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination center in Leiden, Netherlands. (Wikimedia Commons/Vysotsky)

JAKARTA - The Dutch government will announce new measures on Friday to tackle a spike in coronavirus infections that is weighing on hospitals, Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said.

Although around 85 percent of the Netherlands' adult population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, new cases hit a record high of 23.709 in 24 hours on Wednesday, official data showed.

Weekly figures released on Tuesday have shown a nearly 40 percent increase in cases in the past week.

"The infection rate is higher than ever," De Jonge said in a letter to parliament, citing Reuters November 25.

"Hospital admissions continue to exceed expectations and we are yet to see the worst."

He said the government's panel of health experts would provide new policy advice this Thursday and a decision would follow on Friday.

To note, the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals has reached levels not seen since early May. Experts have warned hospitals will reach full capacity in less than a week if the virus is not contained.

After ending most social distancing measures in late September, the Dutch government this month reintroduced the wearing of masks and reimposed a partial lockdown, with bars and restaurants closing at 8 p.m. local time.

Plans to restrict access to many public places for people who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID-19 sparked three nights of unrest since last Friday and more than 170 people were arrested across the country.