Dutch Covid ICU total tops 100 for first time since June 4

The number of Covid-19 patients being treated in Dutch hospitals rose for the 21st consecutive day, with hospitals now treating 104 people in intensive care for the coronavirus disease. The increase of 13 more patients since Tuesday was also the largest single-day hike since April 7.

There were 371 more coronavirus patients being cared for outside of the Dutch ICU system, an increase of 42. In total, hospitals were treating 475 people for the respiratory illness, the most since June 7.

"The number of admitted covid patients continues to increase rapidly, currently at more than 10% per day. As a result, regular care is under pressure in various regions," said Ernst Kuipers, the head of the Dutch acute care providers network. The patient coordination office, LCPS, has begun working with hospitals to transfer some Covid-19 patients from busier facilities to emptier medical centers in other parts of the country.

Wednesday was the first day the LCPS took on the challenge since coronavirus cases subsided in June. Fourteen patients, including one ICU patient, were transferred on Wednesday. This is expected to "increase significantly in the coming days," Kuipers said.

Public health agency RIVM said that 91 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus disease from Sunday through Tuesday, with 31 patients moved into intensive care. To date, the ICU system has cared for 3,195 people with Covid-19, including 903 who died in intensive care, nonprofit organization NICE said.

Another 2,075 were eventually released from the hospital.