Despite hopes that the increase in the number of positive coronavirus tests is slowing down, Wednesday’s update showed a return to the strong growth of recent days, with 8,764 new cases – up 589 on Tuesday’s figure.

A further 232 people were hospitalised, taking the total of people now being treated in hospital to 1,943. Of them, 450 are in intensive care, officials said.

The RIVM also reported 59 overnight deaths, compared with 46 on Tuesday, and taking the average over the past seven days to 30.

The Wednesday figure is the highest since May 9. However, seven of the deaths took place some time ago and are only now being included in the official figures, and the other 52 are spread out over the past two weeks, the Volkskrant reported.

Amsterdam continues to head the number of infections, with 751 positive tests reported overnight.

The RIVM said on Tuesday that the number of new recorded cases in the past week had increased less rapidly than in the previous six weeks – 27% as opposed to between 40% and 60%.

‘This may be an effect of the measures taken since the end of September. Next week we will be able to see if this trend is sustained,’ the RIVM said.