An increase is visible in all age categories (see Figure 1a). Distributed by age, the biggest increase can be seen in the age category of 20-24 years old (Figure 1b).

Most people were infected at home. Besides infections within the home, extended family, acquaintances and holidays are also frequently mentioned in the context of infection.(see epidemiological report – only in Dutch).

Figure 1a. Number of confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants, by age group, in the past 7 weeks.

Figure 1b. Number of confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants, by age group, in the past 7 weeks (divided into 5-year intervals for the ages between 10 and 39 years old).

Schools

Schools are open again all across the Netherlands. There has been no significant increase in the number of patients related to the spread of the virus in schools. In the few known clusters at schools, adults have mainly infected other adults.

Percentage of positive tests this week is 2.8%

Between 31 August and 7 September, 180,182 people were tested at a test site operated by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs)*. 163,572 people were tested in the previous week. Of the people who got tested last week and whose test results are now known, 2.8% tested positive for COVID-19. That percentage was 2.2% in the week before. The percentage of positive tests was highest in the province of South Holland, and especially in the Haaglanden GGD region (7.4%).

*Source: GGD-GHOR

Hospital admissions, intensive care admissions and deaths

From 2 to 8 September, the GGDs received reports of 43 people who were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19*. That figure was 57 patients in the week before. In the past week, the National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE) Foundation recorded 89 new admissions due to COVID-19 in the nursing wards of hospitals. In the week before, there were 65 new admissions of COVID-19 patients in the nursing wards**. The NICE Foundation reported 19 new admissions to the intensive care units. There were 11 in the week before. 

The deaths of 17 COVID-19 patients were reported in the past week. This is 7 less than the week before. Not all of these reported deaths of COVID-19 patients occurred within the last week. 

*Not all patients were admitted in the last week.

**Some of the patients recorded in the past week were already admitted in the week before. The figures for last week may have been updated accordingly. 

Reproduction number R

Compared to last week, the reproduction number rose from 1.00 to 1.17 (with a confidence interval of 1.08 to 1.27). The reproduction number (R) indicates how many other people are infected on average by one person who has the novel coronavirus. This means that 100 people who are infected with the novel coronavirus will collectively infect another 117 people.

To prevent the virus from continuing to spread, it is important for people to comply with the measures: Keep your distance. If you have symptoms, stay home and get tested. Wash your hands frequently, and in any case when you arrive at home, after using the toilet, and before preparing food. Sneeze and cough into your elbow.