ANKARA

The Netherlands reported zero novel coronavirus-related deaths for the first time since March, with 69 new infections in the last 24 hours.

According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RVIM), only two more people diagnosed with COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital.

The new infections has brought the national tally to 49,658 since the country's first cases were announced in late February.

Amsterdam is among several European countries that have announced the easing of lockdown restrictions. The Netherlands began easing efforts early in May and will continue through summer.

The country has reopened cafes, restaurants, cinemas, museums and libraries as people were urged to maintain social distancing rules.

After emerging last December in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the virus has spread to at least 188 countries and regions, according to Johns Hopkins University in the US.

There are nearly 9 million confirmed infections globally, including more than 468,800 deaths and 4.44 million recoveries.