COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

The novel coronavirus causes coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to symptoms of a common cold at first. However, the disease can cause severe pneumonia, which can be fatal.

Symptoms COVID-19

People with COVID-19 often have symptoms such as:

Cold symptoms (nasal cold, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat)
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Elevated temperature or a fever (above 38 degrees Celsius)
Sudden loss of taste and smell (without nasal congestion)

Do you have one or more of these symptoms?

Stay at home, get tested, recuperate.

It depends on the test results (positive or negative) whether you can go outside again and whether your household members must stay home as well.

If you have a fever and/or difficulty breathing, everyone in your household must stay at home.

When to call a GP

Call your GP if your symptoms grow worse:

Do you have a fever (above 38 degrees Celsius) and a cough and difficulty of breathing?
Are you over 70-years old, and have an underlying health condition or are more susceptible, AND have a fever

Important: do not go to your GP, instead call the GP or the out of hours medical centre (huisartsenpost in Dutch). If you are experiencing severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

Measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus

Wash your hands often with soap and water
Cough and sneeze into your elbow
Use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use
Do not shake hands
Stay 1.5 metres (2 arms lengths) away from other people
Work from home as much as possible.

Are you ill?

If you have one or more of these COVID-19 symptoms, you can get tested.

Mild symptoms: cold-like symptoms, nasal cold, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, elevated temperature or sudden loss of smell and or taste. Stay at home, get tested, recuperate. Go to Government.nl for information on making a test appointment.
Severe symptoms: difficulty breathing and or a fever (above 38 degrees celsius) or iff your illness worsens. Call your GP or out of hours medical centre immediately.

Are you over 70 years old or do you have underlying health problems?

Take extra care. It is a good idea to stay at home as much as possible for now.

Avoid busy places and keep your distance

Make sure you can always keep 1.5 metres distance from others
If this is not possible, go somewhere else
Work from home as much as possible
Avoid rush hours of public transport

View all measures to combat the novel coronavirus in the Netherlands on government.nl. The measures are available in several languages.

Other sources of information

Number of confirmed COVID-19 infections almost doubled last week

2,588 new COVID-19 infections were reported over the past week.

Number of COVID-19 infections continues to increase

1,329 new COVID-19 infections were reported over the past week.

Number of COVID-19 infections is increasing

987 new COVID-19 infections were reported over the past week.

About 100 COVID-19 infections detected per week through source and contact tracing

The results of 14 days of monitoring of source and contact tracing are known for week 26 (22 to 2

Sewage research: decline of novel coronavirus in the Netherlands

The first results of RIVM’s National Wastewater Surveillance show that the novel coronavirus in s

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.

Corona crisis has limited impact on infant participation in National Immunisation Programme

Nearly all infants in the Netherlands are still participating in the National Immunisation Programme.

Initial results on how COVID-19 spreads within Dutch families

The novel coronavirus is primarily spread amongst adults who are about the same age.

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.

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Global spread COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

Johns Hopkins University keeps a map with real-time data on the number of patients diagnosed with

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Summary of results from study on behaviour and well-being rounds 1 through 5

Against the backdrop of low infection rates and no more press conferences, the behavioural study

Feasibility study to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers from the Netherlands are involved in a European project which aims to prepare Europe

Research behavioural rules and well-being: round 4

The coronavirus has the Netherlands in its grips.

Vaccine against COVID-19

Research on vaccines against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is being carried out all over the

Research behavioural rules and well-being: round 2

The coronavirus has the Netherlands in its grips.

Research behavioural rules and well-being: round 1

Since mid-March 2020, various behavioural rules have been in force in the Netherlands aimed at re

The spread of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2.

Models for the spread of the virus are public and accessible

RIVM is conducting research on the novel coronavirus that includes the use of models.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

It is often referred to as ‘corona’, but officially the disease is called COVID-19.

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COVID-19: Travelling in and to the Netherlands PDF | 864.74 KB

Travelling and going on holiday in the Netherlands.

Infographic COVID-19 guidance customer PDF | 141.84 KB

A checklist on what health questions to ask your customer and when not to make an appointment.

Infographic COVID-19 guidance visitor PDF | 143.64 KB

A checklist on what health questions to ask your visitors and when not to make or cancel the appo

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