Netherland: According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Omicron variant of Covid-19 caused more than 50% of infections in the Netherlands during the past week, displacing Delta as the dominant variant.

"The rapid spread of this Omicron variant will result in more infections in the near future," the RIVM warned on Tuesday. "This will also increase the number of hospital admissions."

As a result, on December 19, the Dutch government declared a lockdown. With only essential shops open, the government is hoping that the lockdown and current booster campaign would relieve as much pressure as possible on the country's healthcare system.

Between December 21 and December 28, the number of positive tests in the Netherlands declined by 11% to 84,398, compared to a 19% drop in the preceding seven days. With Covid-19, fewer people were admitted to hospitals, with 1,063 patients admitted, a decrease of 26% from the previous week.

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