The weekly report from the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) reveals that, since the update last week, another 3.588 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 67.543.

Coronavirus situation in the Netherlands

Of the 67.543 people infected, another 32 people have died since last Tuesday*, August 18, bringing the death toll to 6.207. In total, 12.126 (+84) 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. 

Code orange for Spain and parts of France

A number of holidaymakers were left in a panic on Monday after the Dutch government changed the travel advice for the whole of Spain, Monaco, and parts of France. These countries had been designated yellow, implying that there were safety risks for travellers, but now have been changed to orange, advising the public to travel only if absolutely necessary, and not just for a holiday.

Parts of France - Paris and Marseille - had already been changed from yellow to orange earlier this summer. These areas are now joined by the regions of Sarthe, Hérault, and Alpes Maritimes. Spain also had areas that were already designated orange due to high infection levels: the Balearic Islands, Barcelona, and Madrid. 

The code orange travel advice came into effect on Monday night at 12 am. Anyone returning from these areas after midnight is expected to quarantine upon arrival for 10 days. It is currently unclear how many people in the Netherlands are in these areas, but a spokesperson for the General Dutch Association of Travel Companies (ANVR) said this change would affect “many thousands of people.”

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.