News item 10-03-2020 | 18:05
Almost 4% of the employees examined in hospitals in Brabant have the new corona virus (COVID-19). This is apparent from the RIVM sample between 6 and 9 March. The findings from the study support the policy implemented last Friday. It does, however, require a few extensions.
–
The fact that healthcare workers are infected with the corona virus can mean several things. It is possible that the percentage of infections in the hospital reflects the number of infections among the Brabant population. But it could also mean that the percentage of infections among hospital staff is higher, because they can come into contact with the virus sooner because of their work. The RIVM will investigate this even further.
Test results
1097 employees were tested in hospitals from 6-8 March. 3.9% indeed appeared to have the corona virus. This percentage was between 0 and 10%. 200 patients were also tested. On average, 9% of these patients had the virus. There too, there are differences between hospitals. The people who were tested already had complaints.
Advice and measures
The advice that RIVM previously gave to prevent the virus from spreading remains valid. This concerns the general hygiene measures (link) and the call not to shake hands. In North Brabant, the advice is to avoid social contacts as much as possible in the event of a cold, cough or fever. In Noord-Brabant, specific advice on working at home as much as possible and avoiding visits to busy places remains valid.
Events
The central government has a framework that can help municipalities to consider whether or not to continue major events. New measures for events have been announced this afternoon in Brabant.
Hospitals
RIVM has conducted this research in close collaboration with the hospitals in the province: Bravis (Roosendaal & Bergen op Zoom), Jeroen Bosch (Den Bosch), Bernhoven (Uden), Radboudumc (Nijmegen), Amphia (Breda), VieCuri (Venlo) ), Catharina (Eindhoven), Elkerliek (Helmond), Elizabeth Two Cities (Tilburg). Although the Radboudumc and VieCuri are not located in the province of Noord-Brabant, they do have many employees who live in Noord-Brabant.
–
