GPs feel more personalised care for chronically ill patients was useful during coronavirus pandemic During the coronavirus pandemic, GPs had to take over some of the tasks of hospitals and mental healthcare providers.
Post-COVID less common after Omicron infection After a SARS-CoV-2 infection involving Omicron, 1 in 10 people still have symptoms three months later. This is almost 2 times lower than after an infection involving the Delta variant. This is evident from new results of the LongCOVID study at RIVM. There is variation in the frequency of specific post-COVID symptoms after an infection with the Omicron or Delta variant.
Quick action needed to prevent drinking water shortage in 2030 The demand for drinking water will increase until at least 2030. The supply is under strain due to climate change and pollution. There are already regional shortages. If measures are not taken, shortages will occur throughout the Netherlands in 2030.
More attention needed for potential impact of drug waste on drinking water quality Drug waste contains substances that are harmful to the quality of drinking water. Because this waste is dumped illegally, these substances can end up in sources of drinking water.
Key persons should be involved in policy for pandemics RIVM advises government authorities to involve ‘key persons’ in formulating policy for current and future pandemics. Results from RIVM research show that these individuals played a key role in ensuring an ongoing focus on social well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the limitations.
Potential effects of the reuse of building material on soil quality In a circular economy, building materials have a longer life cycle and are reused in innovative ways. Reusing building materials is sustainable, but can also be risky as building materials may contain contaminants such as heavy metals.
Quality assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test diagnostics: good performance at public test sites in the Netherlands In their role as WHO reference laboratories, RIVM and Erasmus UMC conducted a study on the quality of SARS-CoV-2 antigen diagnostics in the Netherlands.
Social well-being is improving, compliance with coronavirus measures remains important With the recent easing of the coronavirus measures, social contact and well-being are improving again. Compliance with most measures remains stable for now (such as getting tested by the GGD and avoiding crowds) or is decreasing very gradually.
Downward trend remains steady In the past calendar week, there were 32% fewer hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19 compared to the week before. New arrivals in the ICU were also down by 23% compared to the previous week.
RIVM launches study on Long COVID This week RIVM launched the Long COVID study. RIVM is asking people in the Netherlands who test positive for COVID-19 to sign up for the study via LongCOVID.rivm.nl within 7 days after their positive test result.