News | RIVM

Vulnerable groups hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic

A new RIVM study has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing socio-economic differences. People on lower incomes visited test lanes less often during the pandemic, but were admitted to hospital and intensive care with COVID-19 more often.

New Zoonoses Report out now: avian flu most notable outbreak in 2022

Throughout 2022, the Netherlands faced a persistent avian flu outbreak, affecting 76 poultry farms. The virus also infected numerous wild birds and various wild mammals. These findings are presented in the Zoonoses Report, an annual publication issued jointly by RIVM and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

RIVM modelling for COVID-19 reviewed by international experts

An international audit committee of scientific experts, commissioned by the RIVM Scientific Advisory Board, reviewed the institute’s COVID-19 data analytics and modelling work. These models and data formed a scientific basis for recommendations by the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) and others on COVID-19 control measures in the Netherlands.

Perceived health impact of COVID-19 pandemic differs widely among vulnerable people

The health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated measures is perceived very differently by vulnerable groups in society.

Half of post-traumatic stress disorder related to pandemic

In autumn 2022, 3.7% of adults in the Netherlands were suffering from suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Model for projecting COVID-19 hospital and ICU admissions, complete with code

RIVM has published the code for model projections of COVID-19 hospital and ICU admissions. The code has been shared as part of a manuscript about the model.

GPs feel more personalised care for chronically ill patients was useful during coronavirus pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, GPs had to take over some of the tasks of hospitals and mental healthcare providers.

Post-COVID less common after Omicron infection

After a SARS-CoV-2 infection involving Omicron, 1 in 10 people still have symptoms three months later. This is almost 2 times lower than after an infection involving the Delta variant. This is evident from new results of the LongCOVID study at RIVM. There is variation in the frequency of specific post-COVID symptoms after an infection with the Omicron or Delta variant.

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COVID-19 less severe due to Omicron variants, vaccinations and previous infections

The consequences of infections involving the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are decreasing. This is because nearly everyone in the Netherlands has built up immunity to COVID-19 as a result of vaccination and/or previous infection, and because the current Omicron variants are less likely to cause serious illness.

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Young people less likely to contact GP for mental health problems

The percentage of young people who report having mental health problems has hardly decreased since the last lockdown (in early 2022).

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