Eight new patients - Maasstad Hospital puts stop on admissions to intensive care unit
Eight new coronavirus patients have been reported to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Netherlands to 18 as of 2 March. The eight latest people to test positive for new coronavirus had all recently been in northern Italy or are close family members of patients identified earlier. In cases where the source of a patient’s infection is unknown, this is being investigated.
The relevant municipal health services (GGD) are tracing people with whom the patients had been in close contact. All these contacts will be monitored by the GGD for 14 days after their last contact with the patient. They have been asked to keep the GGD informed about their health situation. In addition, patients’ immediate family members have been asked to stay at home and to avoid physical contact with others if at all possible. Contacts who have or develop symptoms will be tested.
Maasstad Hospital in Rotterdam puts stop on intensive care admissions
One of the new patients had been receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of Maasstad Hospital in Rotterdam. As a precaution, the hospital has put a stop on admissions to the intensive care unit. This means no new patients will be admitted to the unit. The rest of the hospital will remain open. Maasstad Hospital and the GGD are tracing visitors and staff members who have been in close contact with the patient to establish whether they have symptoms. Contacts who have a fever or the symptoms of a cold should stay at home. If necessary they will be tested for coronavirus.