Amsterdam - The minister leading the
Dutch government's fight against the coronavirus resigned on
Thursday, a day after collapsing from exhaustion during a
parliamentary debate on the epidemic.
Medical Care Minister Bruno Bruins, 56, fell to the floor in
parliament on Wednesday while taking questions. He said he had
fainted after weeks of intense work.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Bruins had quit because
it was unclear how long it would take for him to recover.
"The nature of the crisis is such that it demands a minister
who can be ready to go full throttle immediately," Rutte said
during a televised news conference.
Vice Prime Minister Hugo de Jonge will take over Bruins'
duties until a replacement is found, the government said.
The Netherlands will expand social distancing measures,
which have led to the closure of schools and restaurants, by
barring visitors from nursing facilities for the elderly, De
Jonge said on Thursday.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the
Netherlands has risen by 409 to 2,460, the National Institute
for Health (RIVM) said on Thursday. The Dutch death toll stands
at 76, with victims ranging from 63 to 95 years old.
Bruins had indicated on Wednesday that he intended to return
to work.
"I felt faint from exhaustion and several intense weeks of
work. I am now feeling better. I'm going home now to rest
tonight so I can get back to work tomorrow to fight the #corona
crisis as best I can," Bruins had said on social media.