The number of positive coronavirus tests reported to the public health institute RIVM remained relatively stable on Saturday at 11,134.

That is 190 down on Friday’s figure, and takes the average over the past seven days to 9,934. Nevertheless, the weekly average is still up 124% up on the previous seven day period.

The number of new cases surged at the end of June, when most coronavirus measures were ditched, from around 600 a day to almost 10,000. For the past few days it has hovered at around 11,000, indicating that the growth has now slowed.

However, the real feature may be far higher, given that the R or reproduction rate, reached its highest ever level at around 2.9 at the beginning of July and some 14% of tests are positive.

The number of people being treated in hospital has also risen slightly, to 284, compared with 265 on Friday. Of them, 77 are being looked after in an intensive care ward, according to the national patient coordination centre LCPS.

In total, 38 people were admitted to hospital in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, well up on the average of 23 over the past seven day period.

Ministers have said they expect hospital admissions to rise following the surge in new  infections, most of which have taken place among people who have only been partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all.