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

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.

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.

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.

27% more new COVID-19 infections were reported last week than in the week before that.

If all goes well, the first people in the Netherlands will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in early January. The logistics operation aims to start vaccination in the week of 4 January 2021.

Last week there was a slight decrease in the number of newly reported COVID-19 infections: 33,949 newly reported infections in the past week compared to 36,931 newly reported infections in the week

The effects of the COVID-19 crisis have a greater impact on vulnerable groups in society, such as lower-educated adults, young people, the elderly and people with underlying health problems.

Autumn 2020 saw a strong surge in the number of people who tested positive for COVID-19.

Within the Joint Action for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases CHRODIS PLUS, RIVM has developed a set of recommendations for intersectoral cooperation to strengthen health promotion a