Based on recommendations from the public health institute RIVM, the Dutch health ministry has announced that doctors and labs are no longer obligated to report positive
coronavirus tests to regional health boards.
The health ministry has made the decision to downgrade the classification of Covid-19 from an "A status" infection, the highest category requiring automatic reporting. This shift is attributed to the continued decline in Covid-19 cases and the assessment that the current circulating variants are no more severe than the Omicron variant. Additionally, the RIVM has indicated that the likelihood of new variants emerging with a more serious impact on health in the near future is low.
According to the government's coronavirus dashboard, an average of 18 people per day are currently being admitted to general hospital wards with Covid-19. As of June 16, there were 68 Covid-19 patients in Dutch hospitals, with five of them in intensive care.
However, Health Minister Ernst Kuipers emphasized that despite the change in status, it remains crucial to monitor the virus and its impact on the healthcare system. Monitoring methods such as waste water monitoring and self-reporting of positive tests have now become essential tools for tracking the circulation of the virus.
The government's recommendation stands: individuals who test positive for Covid-19 and experience symptoms should stay home.