The increase in coronavirus infections continued to slow down on Thursday, with another 7,882 cases confirmed in the 24 hours to 10am.

The figure is the second highest since January 8, but represents an increase of just 2.3% since last Thursday. Over the last seven days the number of cases has gone up by 5.8% on average, compared to a 25% rise two weeks ago.

There are currently 2,327 patients in hospital, seven fewer than on Wednesday, but the number being treated in intensive care went up by seven to 688, according to the latest figures from the public health agency RIVM.

In the last seven days 8.7% of tests were positive, a 0.1% increase on Wednesday’s figure.

Another 22 deaths were confirmed in the last 24 hours, against a seven-day average of 24. A week ago the average figure was 28.

The virus is also continuing to decline in nursing homes, with 204 locations reporting at least one new infection in the last 14 days. A week ago the figure was 220.