The number of new corona cases in the Netherlands is falling again. Over the past seven days, 6,245 positive test results have been reported. A week earlier there were still 6,744. The virus has recovered significantly in China, but due to the situation in the Netherlands, epidemiologists do not see the need to impose restrictions on travelers from China.
RIVM is closely monitoring the corona situation in the Netherlands. Sewage surveys also show a significant decline. The average number of viral particles in wastewater dropped by 21% in the first few days of last week. A week earlier there was still a 33% increase.
At the same time, the number of hospital admissions is on the rise. In the last week of 2022, 527 people were hospitalized due to serious ailments related to the coronavirus. They were 200 more than a week earlier. 51 new corona patients were admitted to intensive care units, up from 34 the previous week.
Meanwhile, China is experiencing a severe wave of the coronavirus. The Chinese government talks about 5,000 new infections a day, but experts say this number is much higher. Since the easing of corona restrictions (after three years of extremely strict policy), no fewer than 250 million Chinese have been infected.
“Testing obligations like in Spain and France are not needed in the Netherlands”
However, the Netherlands currently does not impose any restrictions on travelers from China. In countries such as Spain, Italy and France, a test is mandatory for travelers from China.
Epidemiologists in the Netherlands support the current Dutch policy. Professor Frits Rosendaal, for example, calls the restrictions ‘unnecessary’, virologist Marion Koopmans thinks the focus on China is ‘illogical’ and field epidemiologist Amrish Baidjoe calls it ‘symbolic politics’.
According to Baidjoe, the virus is still circulating in many countries, including the Netherlands. We just don’t have much information about it anymore, because relatively little testing is done. Further tests for new variants are therefore also one of the measures he finds useful. “Because of the way things are now, we don’t quickly notice if a more contagious variant has emerged.”
Koopmans agrees. “We’re not concerned about the circulation of the virus here, so it’s a bit crazy to make it a point just for China.” While, according to her, new variants of the virus are also currently emerging in Europe and the United States. “We have to continue to pay attention, but not just in China.”
“In the Netherlands we have now built herd immunity”
Professor Rosendaal believes that we shouldn’t worry about a possible new variant of the coronavirus anyway. “In the Netherlands we have now developed herd immunity because almost everyone has had corona or been vaccinated. The virus doesn’t spread as quickly. And it won’t if people come here with corona from China.”
Baidjoe stresses that more attention should be paid to the consequences of a possible new resurgence of the virus. The situation in the Netherlands is very vulnerable.
“Concern has dried up, support for new measures is zero and there are a number of other crises going on, such as the economic one.” Like other scientists, he especially advocates regulations that will apply across Europe.
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