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Pressure on hospitals But there was relief among hospital staff, who learned to their dismay last week that the government wanted to ease restrictions while nearly three-quarters of intensive care beds are occupied by coronavirus patients. Another 8 288 infections were reported on Sunday, the highest daily number for two weeks, while more than 2 500 people are being treated for the virus in hospital, 788 of them in intensive care. Ad Melkert, chairman of the board of the Dutch hospital association NVZ, said, "This is difficult for people who hoped or counted on the restrictions being eased. But they are still badly needed, because it is all hands on deck in our hospitals." First we need to get the virus under control, vaccinate more people and reduce the pressure on hospitals. Then we can slowly but surely get back to normal, but I think it will take a few more weeks.'