Netherlands Faces Second Wave of COVID-19... Weekly Cases Reach Record High

Since the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands mandated mask-wearing at five crowded public places in the city starting from the 5th of last month (local time), pedestrians have been seen wearing masks while walking through the Red Light District. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Netherlands, the weekly number of new confirmed cases has reached an all-time high.

According to major foreign media on the 22nd (local time), the number of new confirmed cases reported in the past week in the Netherlands increased by about 60% compared to the previous week, reaching 13,471. Jaap van Dissel, head of the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), said, "We are now seeing a second wave."

In Europe, including the Netherlands, COVID-19 cases have surged sharply right after the summer vacation period ended. According to the international statistics site 'Worldometer,' as of this date, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands is 98,240, with a total of 6,291 deaths.

In response, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced new measures on the 20th to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including closing bars after 1 a.m. and banning gatherings of more than 50 people.