More than 11,000 coronavirus cases were confirmed by the public health agency RIVM for the first time since Christmas, but the growth rate is slowing down.

Today’s figure of 11,064 is twice as high as a week ago, but over the last seven days cases rose by an average of 445%, according to the RIVM’s figures. The seven-day average stands at 9,191, its highest level this year.

The number of patients in hospital increased by 18 to 230, while there are currently 73 people being treated in intensive care, two fewer than on Wednesday.

Cases have been rising steeply since the beginning of July, when an average of 600 positive tests a day were being reported. Hospital admissions are expected to continue to rise as the Delta variant of the virus spreads through the population.

Rotterdam’s local health service (GGD) closed two coronavirus test centres on Thursday because they were unable to cope with the ‘huge demand for tests’.

Staff have been relocated to larger venues after the health ministry urged everyone who has been out to a nightclub or similar venue in the last two weeks to get tested.