In its latest COVID-19 report, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose significantly last week.
For the week of 14 to 20 September 2020, the number of residents testing positive for coronavirus increased significantly, with 672 people compared to 282 the previous week. The number of PCR tests carried out on residents was 40,596 compared to 50,957 the week before.
As of Sunday 20 September 2020, the number of active infections stood at 953 (compared to 564 on 13 September) and the number of people having recovered from the illness increased from 6,556 to 6,839. Hospital capacities were under slightly more pressure than during the previous week, although there were no new deaths related to the virus.
The effective reproduction rate (RT eff) increased from 1.01 to 1.44 and the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 1.66% compared to 0.55% (average of the week) the previous week. The seven-day incidence rate was 107.33 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 went up to 33.4 years (from 31 the week before).
Last week, 2,284 people were in quarantine (up 91% compared to the previous week) and 768 were in isolation (up 32%).
Regarding sources of infection, the proportion of cases related to travel abroad continued to decline slightly, from 32% to 31%, but remained the biggest identified cause. In addition, 20% of cases resulted from household transmissions, whilst 6% were related to the professional environment. 3% were linked to celebrations with friends or family.
Concerning the presence of the virus in wastewater in Luxembourg, the latest CORONASTEP report by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) found that the national level of SARS-CoV-2 contamination remained stable, with results very similar to those of week 37. However, a re-emergence of SARS-CoV-2 was observed in three wastewater treatment plants (Mersch, Uebersyren and Wiltz). Geographical differences persist with four heavily impacted wastewater treatment plants (Pétange, Beggen, Schifflange and Bettembourg), while the others remain at a low level of contamination. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 was not observed in four (Echternach, Grevenmacher, Boevange-sur-Attert and Troisvierges) of the thirteen wastewater treatment plants studied.
