Dutch coronavirus death toll reaches 20, new measures due in Brabant
The death toll from coronavirus in the Netherlands rose to 20 on Sunday, the public health institute RIVM said in its latest update.
Th eight overnight deaths involved people aged 59 to 94 and most had underlying health problems, the RIVM said.
In total 162 people have been or still are hospitalized. The number of positive tests rose 176 to 1,135. However, this says little about the rate of infection in the Netherlands because since March 12 testing has been restricted to people with serious rather than mild complaints.
Sjaak de Gouw, head of the Hollands Midden health board told broadcaster NOS that he expects the total number of infections in the Netherlands to be around 6,000, given the way the disease is spreading.
Meanwhile, officials in Noord-Brabant, the worst affected Dutch province, are due to announce new measures to stop the spread of the virus shortly. Ministers are also meeting health officials to discuss the option of closing schools. Some 200 schools have already said they plan to close for at least two weeks.
More to follow
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