L-R: Paulette Lenert, Luxembourg's Minister of Health; Dr Jean-Claude Schmit, Director of Health;
Credit: MSAN
In its latest COVID-19 report, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases was up 7% last week compared to the week before.
For the week of 30 November to 6 December 2020, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 increased by 7% to 3,797 cases, compared to 3,565 cases the previous week. The number of identified contacts decreased by 36%, to 10,708. The number of PCR tests carried out was 69,959 compared to 69,558 the week before.
As of Sunday 6 December 2020, the number of active infections stood at 8,324 (compared to 8,453 as of 29 November) and the number of people having recovered from the virus increased from 25,901 to 29,792. 38 new COVID-19-related deaths (compared to 50 the week before) were recorded, with the average age of those who died standing at 83.
Last week, hospitals treated 160 COVID-19 patients in normal care (down from 176 the previous week) and 41 in intensive care (down from 43).
The effective reproduction rate (RT eff) rose from 0.97 to 1.02 and the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 5.43% compared to 5.13% (weekly average) the previous week. The incidence rate was 606 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (up from 569) over seven days and 1,181 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over fourteen days. With the exception of the 0-14 age group, the incidence rate increased slightly across all ages last week and consequently in the general population. Those aged 10-14 and 60-74 had a slightly lower incidence rate. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 rose from 38.8 to 40.2 years.
For the week of 30 November 30 to 6 December, 7,412 people were in isolation (down 3% over one week) and 12,178 were in quarantine (also down 3%).
The source of infection was not clearly attributable in 38.9% of cases. According to an analysis carried out over two full days (30 November and 1 December) and covering 1,141 cases, the family circle remained the most frequent source (35.3%) of COVID-19 infections.
The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) indicated that, for the week of 30 November to 6 December, the level of SARS-CoV-2 contamination of wastewater remained high. However, the latest data collected, especially at the end of the week in question, confirmed the downward trend observed in previous weeks. This trend will need to be confirmed in the coming days or weeks.
