The weekly report from the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) reveals that, since the update last week, another 987 people in the Netherlands have tested positive for COVID-19, the illness that is caused by the new coronavirus. This means that the new total of infected people is 52.073.

Coronavirus situation in the Netherlands

Of the 52.073 people infected, another seven people have died since last Tuesday*, July 14, bringing the death toll to 6.136. In total, 11.902  (+19) patients have been admitted to hospital. As not all people are getting tested, the true number of people infected with the new coronavirus is higher than reported. 

*There may be a delay between the day of death and the day that it is reported.

**Not all the patients reported tested positive, were hospitalised, or died in the past week. Some figures are only reported much later. The data from previous weeks is therefore supplemented to include them. 

Coronavirus vaccine test results seem promising

The first test results of the vaccine against coronavirus being developed by the Jenner Institute in Oxford are promising, experts revealed on Monday, July 20. Between 300 and 400 million doses of the vaccine have been purchased by several European countries, including the Netherlands and Germany.

The vaccine was tested in a study with nearly 1100 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55. The study revealed the vaccine resulted in only minor side effects, described as mild and rapidly disappearing side effects, including headaches or pain at the site of injection. 

The vaccine works by triggering the immune system into action, which results in the production of antibodies that neutralise the protein the coronavirus uses to attach itself to cells. Cells are therefore protected from the virus by these antibodies. The vaccine also produced T cells, which recognise infected cells and instruct them to self-destruct.

Register for a coronavirus test

If you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, you can get tested to see if you are infected with the virus. You can call 0800 1202 to make an appointment if you have one or more of the following mild symptoms (have your BSN at the ready):

• Stuffy and / or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Fever
• Sudden loss of smell or taste

Contact a doctor if you have severe symptoms or if you belong to an at-risk group.