The number of positive coronavirus tests in the Netherlands rose by 209 in the latest daily report by public health institute RIVM, more than double the Wednesday total.

The increase is due to the introduction of nationwide testing for anyone who is showing symptoms of the virus, with results pledged within 24 hours. Testing was expanded to the general public on June 1 and some 17,000 extra tests have been carried out by local health boards since then.

In total, 46,492 have now tested positive for coronavirus since the epidemic began, the RIVM said.

A further 13 coronavirus deaths have been reported two the RIVM within the past 24 hours, taking the total to 5990. Hospital admissions also remain low, in line with the rest of the week.

Zuid-Holland is currently the province where most coronavirus cases have been reported – a total of 10,186. Noord-Brabant, where the epidemic took hold in the Netherlands, has the highest number of hospital admissions and deaths.