The number of people having tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Luxembourg now stands at 2,612, including 31 fatalities resulting from the virus.
At a press briefing on Friday evening, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Minister of Health Paulette Lenert provided an update on the current situation regarding coronavirus in the Grand Duchy.
Prime Minister Xavier Bettel began by recognising the collective effort being made to limit the spread of coronavirus, but stressed that Luxembourg is not yet out of the woods. He maintained that the end is not yet in sight and everyone must remain disciplined and only go out when necessary in the coming days and weeks. Concerning a potential exit strategy, this can only happen gradually, on a "step-by-step" basis.
For her part, Health Minister Paulette Lenert confirmed that, as of this afternoon, a total of 2,608 people (now 2,612) had tested positive for coronavirus and 31 people had died from the virus in Luxembourg to date. The mortality rate now stands at 1.1%. Nevertheless, Minister Lenert took comfort from the fact that the number of new infections have been decreasing daily (125 from Thursday to Friday). Like the Prime Minister, however, the Health Minister warned that the crisis is not yet over and that it is essential to continue to respect the measures in place.
Of the 2,612 people having tested positive for coronavirus to date, 2,201 are residents and 411 are non-residents. The average age of those testing positive is 46, while the median age of the 31 victims (excluding one patient from the Grand Est) who lost their lives to the virus is 86. Concerning hospitalisations, Minister Lenert stressed that medical staff are prepared for the hospitalisation peak yet to come. To date, 232 people have been hospitalised in relation to COVID-19. This includes 33 patients (plus ten from the Grand Est) in intensive care. Nevertheless, 500 people have already recovered (after two weeks and an additional 48 hours without symptoms) from the virus and 174 have been released from hospital. The Health Minister added that the four recently opened advanced care centres have been receiving 330 people per day. In addition, the Esch site has been extended.
Since the beginning of the crisis, Luxembourg has carried out a total of 21,463 tests (17,925 on residents, 3,538 on non-residents). Paulette Lenert confirmed that, as of 1 April 2020, the health authorities have expanded testing to include anyone with coronavirus symptoms.
On the subject of supplies, Minister Lenert confirmed that three Cargolux flights had delivered medical equipment this week, including 43 respirators. Despite advocating the use of face masks, the Health Minister recalled that these are not 100% effective and so social distancing remains key.
Paulette Lenert also confirmed that an immunity test phase will be implemented. Such tests aim to provide an overview of how many people in Luxembourg have been affected by the virus.
As a reminder, the COVID-19 national hotline is 8002-8080; the hotline for calls made outside Luxembourg is +352-497-719200.
The above graph shows the evolution of the spread of coronavirus in the Grand Duchy on a daily basis since 1 March 2020, with the graph below showing the total figures (cumulative) over the same period.
