The growing number of corona infections is a thorn in the side of IC chiefs. “The demand for IC capacity will become (very) great in the coming weeks. We fear that we can no longer fulfill our responsibility and that we can no longer provide everyone with the correct intensive care care, as we used to,” they wrote on Twitter. “So we call on every Dutchman to do what is possible in their position to significantly reduce the number of infections.”

increased inflammation

The number of corona patients in hospitals has risen again in recent weeks. On Sunday, there are 1,122 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and on Saturday there are 1,042 patients treated for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The average number of positive coronavirus tests has also increased further in the past seven days. The seven-day average also continues to rise. In the past seven days, an average of 7,088 infections were detected per day, on Saturday the weekly average was still at 6,815.

With the statement, the heads of the eight Dutch divisions called for doing their best to significantly reduce the number of infections. In this they also addressed the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives.

’90 percent’

Peter van der Voort, an intensification specialist at UMCG, said in Nieuwsuur Sunday night that hospitals are discussing a number of concrete measures. For example, there should be a better Corona entry ticket app, and the guide should be used in more places. Church communities must also take responsibility and ensure that there is no corona infection there or less.

In addition, the rate of vaccination should be increased, the specialist believes. “Preferably above 90 percent. We think GPs are a key figure in reaching unvaccinated people.” As a last resort, Van der Voort mentioned a booster injection to everyone who had already been vaccinated.

Al-Mutaker stresses that the choices regarding actions to be taken lie with the Operations Management Team and the Cabinet. “But our plea is: Do it so aggressively that it really has an impact.”