The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 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. 

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COVID-19 symptoms

Common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

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

Read more about the coronavirus disease COVID-19. 

When to call a GP

Call your GP if your symptoms grow worse:

  • Do you have a fever (above 38 degrees Celsius) and shortness of breath ?
  • 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 COVID-19

  • 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.

View all measures to combat COVID-19 on Government.nl.

Other sources of information

First clients and care workers in mental healthcare vaccinated on Monday

The first mental health clients in inpatient or residential care in four large institutions in th

02/23/2021 - 12:08

People living in small-scale residential facilities vaccinated sooner by deploying Moderna as well as Pfizer/BioNTech

Starting next week, vaccination for clients receiving care under the Long-Term Care Act, who are living in small-scale residential facilities without an institutional physician, will be expanded to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and Moderna vaccine.

02/09/2021 - 12:08
Man receives COVID-19 vaccination at GGD vaccination site

New research in GGD test lanes on spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

RIVM is launching a survey-based study this week on risk factors for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

02/08/2021 - 14:57
GGD COVID-19 test lane

New variants disrupt plans

In the past week, from 27 January to 2 February, 28,628 people in the Netherlands reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, a 20% decrease compared to the week of 20 to 26 January.

02/02/2021 - 16:05
Vrouw werkt thuis

One person died shortly after COVID-19 vaccination

The Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb announced today that the centre had received a report of death

02/01/2021 - 17:05
Woman looking at scenary

Nationwide assessment of SARS-CoV-2 laboratories: very high quality

The vast majority of the laboratories analysing COVID-19 tests are performing at the very highest standard of quality.

02/01/2021 - 10:47

Brazilian coronavirus variants (P1 and P2) found in the Netherlands

Two new variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been found in the Netherlands, both originati

01/29/2021 - 16:00
Coronavirus in kleur

Invitation letter for COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 85-89 years arriving today

Today, the first 50,000 people in the age group from 85-89 years in the Netherlands will receive

01/29/2021 - 13:09
COVID-19 vaccination resident nursing home 18 January 2021

Last winter’s flu epidemic was short and mild. And then COVID-19 arrived.

The flu epidemic in the winter of 2019/2020 was mild and lasted only 5 weeks.

01/28/2021 - 14:00
De griepepidemie in de winter van 2019/2020 was mild en duurde slechts 5 weken.
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