AMSTERDAM- The number of new coronavirus infections in the Netherlands remained above 10,000 over the past hours, near a record high, data released by the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) on Thursday showed.

The RIVM said the number of confirmed new cases of COVID-19 was 10,264, just below a high of 10,343 on Oct. 26. The number is being closely watched by the Dutch government, which is weighing tighter curbs.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Alison Williams) ((anthony.deutsch@thomsonreuters.com;))