Last week, in the week of 23-29 September, 19,326 new people who tested positive for COVID-19 were reported by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs). This is five times more than in the last week of August (3,588). In recent weeks, we have seen a rapid increase in the number of reports from GGDs (Figure 1) in nearly all regions, and in the percentage of people with a positive test result in the test lanes. The highest number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants is still in the age category of 20 to 29 years. A significant increase in the number of confirmed infections can be seen in all age groups from 10 years and older.

Figure 1. COVID-19 reports per 100,000 inhabitants, per security region, in the week of 23-29 September and in the week of 26 August - 1 September.

There is a clear increase in the number of COVID-19 admissions to hospital nursing wards and Intensive Care Units [NICE Foundation (National Intensive Care Evaluation)]: Data provided by the NICE Foundation (Figure 2). For the figures provided by the NICE Foundation, see page 37 of the epidemiological report (only in Dutch) or http://www.stichting-nice.nl. 

The deaths of 102 COVID-19 patients were reported* in the past week, which is 51 more than the week before. These deceased patients were aged between 45 and 95 years.

*Not all of the reported hospital admissions or deaths occurred within the last week. 

Figure 2: 
(A) Number of COVID-19 positive tests reported to the GGDs, by reporting date.
(B) Number of admissions to hospital nursing wards due to COVID-19, per day. (source: NICE Foundation)
(C) Number of admissions to hospital ICUs due to COVID-19, per day. (source: NICE Foundation)
(D) Number of deceased COVID-19 patients reported to the GGDs, by date of death.

COVID-19 in nursing homes

The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections reported in nursing homes continued to rise last week (see Figure 3). The highest numbers of nursing home residents who tested positive for COVID-19 were in the GGD regions of Haaglanden, Utrecht and Amsterdam Amstelland. Starting this week, we will apply a slightly adjusted calculation based on new definitions. **

Figure 3: Number of people living in nursing homes and residential care centres who have COVID-19 and have been reported to the GGDs since 6 July 2020, by reporting date.

146,000 contagious people in the Netherlands 

If a person catches the novel coronavirus, that person is contagious and can infect others for a certain period. Based on various data sources about how many people are infected with the novel coronavirus, it is possible to estimate the number of contagious people in the Netherlands and the range of probability for that number. According to the latest estimates, there are approximately 146,000 contagious people in the Netherlands. The number of contagious people has been rising rapidly since mid-July: from a few thousand contagious people in July to more than 146,000 in September.  

Reproduction number R

The reproduction number is 1.27 (range 1.26 - 1.33) and has not changed much compared to last week. For the fourth consecutive week, the confidence interval is entirely above 1. A reproduction number of 1.27 means that 100 people who are infected with the novel coronavirus will collectively infect another 127 people. 

To prevent the virus from continuing to spread, it is important for everyone to comply with the measures. Keep your distance. Work from home. 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. 

**  Footnote on new method of COVID-19 surveillance in nursing homes and residential care institutions:

As of 29 September, an updated definition has been introduced for “nursing home or residential care centre resident”. Previously, this status was deduced from a combination of residential location and age (over 70 years) or because the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) indicated that the infection had taken place in a nursing home or residential care centre for the elderly. From now on, inquiries will be made to check whether all patients are residents of a nursing home or residential care centre for the elderly. If it is unknown whether a person lives in a nursing home or residential care centre, the former definition will be used. This updated definition – applied retroactively from 1 July 2020 – will provide a clearer (and lower) overview of the actual number of infected people and locations.

Weekly Update 23 - 29 Sept 2020

	Last week1	Two weeks ago2
COVID-19 reports by Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs)
Newly reported COVID-19 infections	19,326	13,471
Reported hospitalisations	244	152
Deaths	102	33
GGD test lanes per calendar week3	week 39	week 38
Total number of tests	207,670	192,255
of which results are known	153,589	192,814
Number of people who tested positive	11,300	12,217
Percentage of positive tests	7.4%	6.3%

Not all of the reported hospital admissions or deaths occurred within the last 24 hours

¹GGD reports to RIVM between 22 September 10:01 and 29 September 10:00 as published 29 September 2020 in the weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 in the Netherlands
²GGD reports to RIVM between 15 September 10:01 and 22 September 10:00, as published 22 September 2020 in the weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 in the Netherlands
³As published on 29 September 2020 in the weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 in the Netherlands. The figures from the GGD test lanes were reported during the past week and current week, and may be updated to include any test results provided later.