Nitrate leaching on derogation farms in sandy regions continues to rise Nitrate leaching on ‘derogation farms’ has risen in recent years, most likely due to the drought experienced throughout the Netherlands in 2018 and regionally in both 2019 and 2020.
Vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic Some vulnerable groups in society have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than less vulnerable groups. These include young people (up to 24 years) who have physical or mental problems or come from low-income families.
Operations postponed due to pandemic result in 320,000 healthy life years lost The COVID-19 pandemic caused over 305,000 operations to be postponed in 2020 and 2021 in the Netherlands.
Pressure drainage can be a cost-effective technology to reduce CO2 emissions in peatland areas Pressure drainage can in some cases help to reduce CO2 emissions in peatland areas. This intervention is very expensive and only cost-effective when it sufficiently reduces CO2 emissions.
Reported COVID-19 infections are still rising, but less rapidly The number of reported COVID-19 infections continued increasing last week. However, the number of newly reported infections once again rose less quickly than in the week before that.
Coronavirus measures: public support remains high, despite concerns With the rapid increase in infections, people estimate their own risk of becoming infected as higher than it was 6 weeks ago (previously 10%, now 18%).
Novel coronavirus continues to spread unabated The number of reported cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in all regions and in all age groups. The Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) reported that 43,903 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.
Initial results of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 very promising Two antigen tests for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19, which detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins within 15 minutes after testing, show very promising initial results.
Sewage research: decline of novel coronavirus in the Netherlands The first results of RIVM’s National Wastewater Surveillance show that the novel coronavirus in sewage is decreasing in the Netherlands.
Many people willing to isolate at home in case of positive COVID-19 test The sense of threatening danger from the novel coronavirus is declining. People are feeling less anxious and despondent than in the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic.