The official death toll from coronavirus rose by 164 overnight to 1,651, according to the Saturday update from public health institute RIVM.

The number of hospital admissions rose by 336, a clear drop on recent days. In total, 6,622 people have been or are still hospitalised with the disease.

Some 16,627 people have tested positive, a rise of under 1,000 on Friday. The government plans to ramp up testing in the coming days.

The number of people being treated in Dutch intensive care beds reached 1,238 by Saturday according to new figures from the intensive care association. Some 520 people have been discharged from intensive care since the epidemic began.

The cabinet hopes to have realised 2,400 intensive care beds by Sunday, of which all but around 600 will be reserved for coronavirus patients.

Meanwhile, the MECC exhibition hall in Maastricht is being turned into a hospital with 276 patients who do not need IC nursing. The hall will be open to patients from Monday, if necessary.