All the weekly COVID-19 figures are presented in a table on the RIVM website.

25,751 positive test results were reported last week*, a 44% increase compared to the week before that. Per 100,000 inhabitants, 152 people received a positive test result. More than 198,000 people were tested by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs), 25% more than in the week before that. The percentage of people who tested positive for COVID-19 increased, rising from 10.3% to 12.0%. The increase in the number of positive COVID-19 tests seems to be related to the relaxed measures implemented over three weeks ago, combined with the seasonal effect.

Increase observed in all regions and in all age groups

The number of newly reported SARS-CoV-2 infections increased in all age groups (see Figure 1). Continuing the trend from the week before, the number of reported infections per 100,000 people was highest in the age groups below 50 years old. All security regions have shown an increase in the number of reported positive tests. The highest numbers of positive tests per 100,000 inhabitants were reported in the security regions of IJsselland (263), Zuid-Holland-Zuid (250), Gelderland-Midden (216) and Limburg-Noord (215).

Figure 1: Number of reported positive tests per 100,000 inhabitants, by age group (6 September to 17 October 2021).

Positive self-test should be confirmed by GGD testing

People who test positive using a self-test are advised to get tested by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) to confirm the positive test result and exclude the possibility of a false positive on the self-test. More than 198,000 people were tested for COVID-19 by the GGD last week, and 12.0% tested positive. 6% of these tests involved people who came in for GGD testing after a positive self-test. Of these 12,370 people who were tested by the GGD after a positive self-test, 84.6% tested positive for COVID-19. Among people who were tested without a previous positive self-test, 7.2% tested positive for COVID-19.

Hospital admissions

The number of people with COVID-19 who were admitted to hospital increased by 20% last week, rising to 385 new hospital admissions. 81 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to ICU last week, 10 more new patients than in the week before (+14%).
There are regional differences in hospital admissions. Looking at hospital admissions in relation to the number of people living in the region, the highest numbers of people with COVID-19 admitted to hospital last week were observed in the regions of Limburg-Noord, Gelderland-Midden, IJsselland and Limburg-Zuid. Not all patients are always admitted to a hospital in their own region. Most people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 have not been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. 4 in 5 COVID-19 patients in the intensive care wards are not vaccinated.

Reproduction number R

The most recent reproduction number based on positive COVID-19 tests is for 4 October, and has increased from 1.12 to 1.20 (lower limit 1.16 – upper limit 1.24). That means that 100 people who have COVID-19 will collectively infect another 120 new people. In other words, the virus is spreading faster again.

Prevent the spread, stay home if you have symptoms, and get tested.

 

* Positive tests reported to RIVM between 12 October at 10:01 and 19 October 2021 at 10:00. The number of tests in GGD test lanes, hospital admissions and ICU admissions are shown by calendar week.