Speaking of figures in the Netherlands: COVID-19 infections increase by 500% in a week since restrictions were lifted, Prime Minister apologizes



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The government was forced to go back the same way and renew security measures again. This prompted Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to apologize and call the previous step a “decision error”.

Nightclubs were closed again until at least August 13, and bars were only allowed to open until midnight.

During the past week, COVID-19 was detected in nearly 52,000 people. people, which is more than 500 percent. rate increase.

Authorities say 37 percent of the cases in which the original source could be traced. people were infected in hospitality venues such as bars or clubs.

During the past week, 11 percent. There was also an increase in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, for a total of 60 patients.

Apology from the Prime Minister

Mark Rutte said he regretted his government’s failed decision, as the number of infections went from a few hundred to more than 9,000 in just two weeks.

Acting Prime Minister Rutte acknowledged on Monday that the Dutch government had made a mistake in lifting most of the restrictions.

With the number of COVID-19 infections in a single day reaching a record in a calendar year, the Dutch government was forced on Friday to return a series of security measures, including closing nightclubs and banning more events. large.

Previously, Rutte defended the decision to release the restrictions, arguing that it was a “logical step” and refused to blame him for the error of his government.

“Bad solution”

Mr Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge agreed that the restrictions were lifted too soon.

“It turned out that what we thought should have been possible is not possible in practice,” Rutte told reporters on Monday. “We have made a bad decision, for which we regret and apologize.”

Acting Health Minister Hugo de Jonge noted that “the delta option, of course, has accelerated the rise in infections. Unfortunately, this can be seen over time. “

Markas Rutte

Markas Rutte

Until then, both new COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions have been declining in the Netherlands. This led the government to relax the restrictions. Nightclubs were able to open for the first time in more than a year.

Mostly young people with little access to hospitals

In a letter to parliament last week, the Dutch Outbreak Management Team (OMT) said that “the latest jump in cases has been faster than expected.”

“Recently, we have seen an exponential increase in infections, especially among people between the ages of 18 and 25,” OMT said, adding that coronavirus infections are more common in nightclubs and other hotel establishments.

However, according to the OMT, there is no apparent increase in infections outside this age group, and the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has not increased significantly.

In recent weeks, thousands of young people have lined up to take the COVID-19 test, as catering services and nightclubs have only admitted people who have had a negative response to the test or proof that they have been vaccinated. .

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