The scientist stressed that while the new coronavirus strain accounts for 10 percent to 15 percent of new positive cases, the number continues to double every 2.5 days.
Dissel added that pressure on the country's healthcare system will intensify in the coming weeks, despite a lockdown that has been in effect since 19 December.
"Even amid a lockdown, we can expect 100 to 150 hospitalisations a day, assuming that the Omicron strain will provoke the same number of hospitalisations as the Delta variant", the scientist said during a parliamentary briefing as quoted by the Dutch Broadcasting Foundation.
Dissel noted that there is no conclusive evidence that the new coronavirus strain is less likely to cause infection that is as severe as that caused by previous strains.
On Sunday, the Netherlands announced that a lockdown will be introduced until 14 January to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. All bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, museums, theatres, gyms, as well as shops that do not sell essential goods have shut down. The country has been experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, despite over 65 percent of the population being fully vaccinated.