Phase 2 of Large-scale Testing Starts on Wednesday, over 307k Residents Tested in 1st Phase

Luxembourg's Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) have announced the official conclusion of phase 1 and the launch of phase 2 of large-scale COVID-19 testing in the Grand Duchy.

On Monday 14 September 2020, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Claude Meisch, Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, and the Research Luxembourg (RL) COVID-19 Task Force held a press conference in Dudelange to officially conclude the first phase of the large-scale testing initiative, led by the LIH together with the RL community. The operations of the second phase have been handed over to the Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health and will start mid-September.

As part of its exit strategy, Luxembourg has implemented an extensive and unique nation-wide testing campaign, inviting its residents and cross-border workers to voluntarily get tested for COVID-19. The aim of this large-scale testing initiative was to limit the spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus by identifying positive cases early, including among asymptomatic persons, thereby breaking infection chains. At the same time, large-scale testing aims to contribute to the close monitoring of the spread of the virus among the population.

The first phase of  large-scale testing, coordinated by the LIH, ran from 27 May until 27 July 2020 and relied on sixteen drive-through and one walk-in test stations, with a maximum theoretical capacity of 20,000 tests per day. The population was divided into three main categories. The first category was composed of people exposed to a high infectious risk by their professional activity, such as healthcare professionals, whereas the second category consisted of those having resumed their professional activity or about to get back to work. The third category encompassed representative samples of the general population. The recurring testing of the contingents and the rigorous contact tracing not only aims at avoiding new infection chains but also at providing decision makers with evidence-based data.

An extension period prior to the beginning of phase 2 was set up during the summer period until 15 September with the aim of monitoring the evolution of the epidemic during the summer months, with a particular focus on people coming back from holidays, those professions specifically linked to the holiday period (Horesca, seasonal workers) and the return to school.

In total, 1,520,445 large-scale testing invitations were sent out and 560,082 tests were carried out covering 307,751 Luxembourg residents, reflecting an overall participation rate of almost 50 % of the resident population.

The second phase will be coordinated by the Health Directorate and is set to run between 16 September 2020 and March 2021, with a capacity of 53,000 tests per week. Building on the experience gained during the first phase, which showed a relatively low prevalence rate, the second phase of the strategy will narrow the focus of the tests and target specifically the population most exposed to the virus, while at the same time allowing for capacities to be adjusted in a timely manner to the evolution of the situation and over a longer period of time than the first phase. This nuanced approach aims to foster a more precise meshing of the population and a more efficient reactiveness. More detailed information as to this new phase of will be provided by Health Minister Paulette Lenert during a press conference on 24 September 2020.

During the handover press conference, which took place at the premises of the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL) in Dudelange, Prof Paul Wilmes from the University of Luxembourg’s Luxembourg Centre of Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) and deputy spokesman of the Task Force, commented: “This unparalleled initiative has been widely recognised at the international level, further strengthening the country’s reputation as a leader in public health and biomedical research”.

Claude Meisch, Minister for Higher Education and Research, added: “The strength of our response to the pandemic lies in the tight connection between public health initiatives such as the large-scale testing and the outstanding research efforts of Luxembourg’s research institutions. This synergy plays a fundamental role in providing tangible solutions to societal issues”.

Health Minister Paulette Lenert concluded: “The large-scale testing project has confirmed the high level of resilience, adaptability and reactiveness of our country as we face un unprecedented crises of international dimension. It will reinforce our preparedness all along the evolution of the epidemic. The second phase will consolidate our position as a leader in large-scale testing and will be part of the government’s efforts to fight the virus, ideally until the crisis ends, while allowing for a particular attention to be put on specific target groups".