Another 2,875 positive coronavirus tests were recorded in the Netherlands in the last 24 hours, well below the seven-day average figure of 3,469.

The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital increased by 63 to 1,922, of whom 536 are being treated in intensive care, six more than on Sunday, according to figures published by the public health agency RIVM.

In the last 24 hours 138 people were admitted to hospital while 24 were transferred to the ICU.

The figures were distorted last week because of the severe winter weather causing all testing stations to be closed on Sunday. Many stayed shut on Monday, but on average the number of positive tests has declined by 6.6% week-on-week in the last seven days.

Another 27 coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, following 22 on Sunday. The average number of deaths recorded in the last week is 60, compared to 58 a week ago.

The spread of the virus in nursing homes is continuing to decline, with 509 institutions reporting a new infection in the last 14 days, compared with 577 a week ago.

The RIVM said 783,606 vaccine doses have now been given against coronavirus, equivalent to 4.57% of the population.