News | RIVM

Radioactive material used in hospitals detected in sewage water

RIVM has, for the first time, investigated the possibility of detecting radioactive substances in sewage. This appears to be the case, as RIVM has found iodine-131 and lutetium-177. Hospitals use these substances in the treatment of patients.

Remove ticks quickly, reduce your risk of Lyme disease

Ticks are active again, as shown by the increase in tick bite reports on Tekenradar.nl. Quick action is important: the faster you remove a tick after it bites you, the lower your risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Minor decrease in percentage of people who tested positive, slower increase in hospital and ICU admissions

In the past week, from 23 to 29 December, the reported number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 was 67,388. This is a slight decrease of 11.7% compared to the week of 16 to 22 December.

The spread of the UK coronavirus variant in the Netherlands

The UK variant of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been found in 11 people in the Netherlands so far: 5 people in the Amsterdam region, 5 people in the Rotterdam region and 1 person in the Nijmegen

All signals still on red

The advance of the coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) in the Netherlands continues unabated. It is still too early to see the effects of the lockdown that was announced on 15 December.

Improvement of air quality continues

In 2019, the calculated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) were below the European limit values in almost the whole of the Netherlands. Locally, the limit value for nitrogen dioxide is still being exceeded.

RIVM international circular economy knowledge partner

As of 7 December 2020, RIVM has become a knowledge partner of the international Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE).

First COVID-19 vaccination in the Netherlands on 8 January 2021

If the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approves BioNTech/Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine next week, the first people in the Netherlands will receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday 8 January 2021.

First wave of COVID-19 had major impact on regular healthcare and health

During the first wave, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) had a major impact on healthcare in the Netherlands. Many patients faced delays in appointments and treatments.

Major increase in hospital admissions and ICU admissions due to COVID-19

The increase in the reported number of people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks was followed last week by an increase in the number of hospital and ICU admissions.