NIPT available as standard option for all pregnant women from 1 April From 1 April 2023, the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) will be available to all pregnant women. They do not have to take part in a scientific study for this.
COVID-19 less severe due to Omicron variants, vaccinations and previous infections The consequences of infections involving the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are decreasing. This is because nearly everyone in the Netherlands has built up immunity to COVID-19 as a result of vaccination and/or previous infection, and because the current Omicron variants are less likely to cause serious illness.
Young people less likely to contact GP for mental health problems The percentage of young people who report having mental health problems has hardly decreased since the last lockdown (in early 2022).
Netherlands experiencing multiple respiratory viruses; now also flu epidemic The Netherlands is experiencing a flu epidemic. The number of people with flu (influenza) increased significantly in the past two weeks. Laboratories, hospitals and GPs throughout the country report that the flu virus has been turning up in more throat and nasal samples from people with flu-like symptoms.
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.
Omicron variant dominant in the Netherlands, 25% drop in new hospital admissions There were 26% fewer new hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19 last week compared to the week before. There were 25% fewer new patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICU compared to the previous week.
Vaccination and previous infection provide less effective protection against infection with Omicron variant Dutch research results published today show that the protection offered by vaccination or previous infection is less effective in preventing infection with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 than infection with the Delta variant.
Downward trend in COVID-19, while vaccination and previous infection offer significantly less protection against Omicron There were 1,335 new hospital admissions of patients with COVID-19 last week, 33% less than the week before.
Omicron advancing rapidly in the Netherlands Infections involving the Omicron variant are still in the minority for now, but are increasing rapidly.
Impact of ventilation on aerogenic transmission of the coronavirus RIVM has calculated the impact of different ventilation rates on the number of people who become ill due to aerogenic transmission of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in indoor spaces.