Another 5,151 coronavirus cases were reported by the public health agency RIVM on Friday, passing the 5,000 mark for the second day running.

The figure was the highest for a single day since January 23 and 9% higher than last Friday. The average for the last seven days increased to 4,547, its highest level for four weeks.

Another 205 people were admitted to hospital, but the total number of patients fell by 23 to 1,864, of whom 525 are being treated in intensive care.

The proportion of all tests that were positive was 9.4%, continuing the declining trend since the beginning of February.

Another 65 deaths were reported on Friday, while the average figure for the last seven days is 52, compared to 60 a week ago.

Infections are continuing to fall in nursing homes, with 425 facilities reporting at least one case in the last two weeks, 12 fewer than on Thursday and a decline of 53 since last Friday.

The total number of vaccination doses administered to date is 1,236,192, the RIVM said.