Reporting obligation

COVID-19 is a notifiable disease pursuant to Article 26 of the Dutch Public Health Act (Wet publieke gezondheid). This means that if someone tests positive for COVID-19, this must be reported to the GGD. However, there is no obligation to report COVID-19 deaths. Nevertheless, it is the task of the GGDs to obtain information from reports as complete as possible (including death); the other information relating to reports may however be delayed or unexpectedly underreported.

Cause-of-death reporting is mandatory according to Article 12A of the Dutch Burial and Cremation Act (Wet op de lijkbezorging). The death cause certificates are received by CBS at a later stage.