New coronavirus infections are continuing to decline rapidly, but more patients are being admitted to hospital, according to the latest RIVM figures.

The public health agency reported 3,914 cases in the 24 hours to Monday morning, a 55% drop since last Monday when there were 8,874 positive tests. The seven-day average has come down in the past week by 43% to 5,735.

There are currently 577 Covid-19 patients in hospital, the highest number since June 16, of whom 140 are in intensive care. The figures have increased by 44 and 6 respectively in the last 24 hours.

The proportion of positive tests has declined from 14.1% to 12.5% in the last week.

In the last week an average of 76 people a day have been admitted to hospital with coronavirus infections, compared to less than 15 two weeks ago. People over 80 are most likely to end up in hospital with the virus, but there has also been a fourfold increase in hospitalisations of people in their thirties.

Prime minister Mark Rutte told a press conference on Monday that patient numbers were likely to keep rising into next week. ‘The expectation is that it will then reach a level in the hospitals where it will not increase any further.’

Rutte said the situation was ‘tense’ but the health sector appeared to be able to cope with the recent surge. ‘We all need to be extremely alert and stay focused. But right now there is no reason to take extra measures.’