In total, 6,446 positive coronavirus tests were reported to the public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.

The total is up 405 on Friday and the highest number in two months. Over the past week, an average of 5121 people a day have tested positive for the virus.

The sharp rise on Friday and Saturday means there has been a 13% increase in the number of positive tests in a week. This is partly due to the 23% increase in the number of tests carried out in the week to Thursday.

However, the number of hospital patients continues to decline, falling to 1,875 on Saturday, of whom 544 are being treated in an intensive care ward. That is down 22 patients on Friday, the national patient coordination centre said.

The rise in cases comes almost two weeks since secondary schools were allowed to open their doors again, and 10 days after non-essential shops were reopened on an appointment-only basis.

Prime minister Mark Rutte said at the time that the decision to relax the lockdown rules slightly was a risky one.

The next review of the lockdown measures is due to take place on March 22, after the general election.