Vulnerable groups hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic A new RIVM study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing socio-economic differences. People on lower incomes visited test lanes less often during the pandemic, but were admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19 more often.
Public opinion: keep society open and continue providing healthcare during COVID-19 surge In the long-term approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch government is assigning a key role to civil society and private citizens. When asked what their priorities are in that context, the answer was to prevent delays in surgical interventions.
Staying 1.5 metres apart is growing more difficult Staying 1.5 metres apart seems to be more and more difficult for people to manage.
Mortality still significantly elevated between 30 April and 6 May, but much lower than in previous weeks The total mortality rate in the Netherlands was significantly elevated in the week of 30 April to 6 May 2020. However, excess mortality was much lower than in previous weeks.
The 1.5-metre society is difficult to maintain Personal hygiene measures, such as not shaking hands, or using paper tissues, are not considered a problem by most Dutch people.
COVID-19 in nursing homes is stabilising The number of new nursing homes with COVID-19 patients is stabilising.
Rapid diagnostic tests are not reliable The Serology Task Force of the National Coordination Centre for Testing Capacity – a partnership between RIVM, hospitals and laboratories – has collected research results on rapid diagnostic tests
Rapid and accurate contact tracing required in the coming period Now that the Cabinet is relaxing the measures to combat the novel coronavirus step by step, people will go outside more frequently. The chance of the virus spreading again will then increase.
Clear impact achieved by national measures to combat the COVID-19 epidemic To monitor the effect of the measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus, the time when reported COVID-19 patients became ill was examined.