In total, 12,024 new cases of coronavirus were reported to public health institute RIVM in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, the fourth highest daily total since the pandemic began.

The worst three days for positive tests were in mid December last year, with the total reaching 12,997 on December 20. Last Saturday, the RIVM reported nearly 8,000 cases but the daily total has been over 10,000 for the past three days.

Saturday’s figures take the average number of new infections over the past seven days to 9,415 a day, compared with 6,805 in the previous week. Some 17% of people taking a test in a regional health board centre were positive for Covid-19.

Hospital admissions also continue to rise, going up by 49 to 1,399 in a 24-hour period. That is the highest level since May 28, when 1,440 coronavirus patients were being treated in hospital.

The government will decide on Friday if stricter measures are to be introduced, after face masks were brought back on Saturday. The use of the coronavirus pass system has also been extended to more places where people meet, including museums and outdoor cafe terraces.