The number of patients in hospital with coronavirus has fallen to its lowest level in three weeks, the public health agency RIVM reported in its latest weekly update.

In the last seven days 721 coronavirus patients were admitted to hospital, 22% less than in the previous week, while the number being treated has fallen by 14% to 1,010.

There are currently 46 patients being treated in intensive care, compared to 55 a week ago. The last time there were fewer than 1,000 patients in hospital was October 9.

The number of positive tests and the level of virus detected in the sewage system have both decreased by around 30% in the past week. Only people over 70, those with certain underlying healthcare conditions and care workers who come into contact with vulnerable patients are currently eligible for health board tests.

Despite the downward trend, the RIVM said it was too early to say if the autumn wave of infections had passed its peak. Several sub-variants of the Omicron type of coronavirus are still on the increase which could limit the effectiveness of vaccines.

‘It is still too early to be able to estimate the extent to which the new subvariants will lead to a further increase in the number of coronavirus infections,’ the RIVM said in its update. The government’s ‘thermometer’ remains at level 2, meaning there is a heightened risk of infection.

Just under half (48.7%) of people over 60 have had a second booster, or ‘repeat’ vaccine. Everyone over the age of 12 can book a booster online via planjeprik.nl or by calling the hotline on 0800 7070.