Blue: first dose of vaccine; pink: second dose; Credit: MSAN

In its latest COVID-19 report, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases was down 2% last week compared to the week before.

For the week of 18 to 24 January 2021, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 decreased slightly from 859 to 843 people (down 2%) over one week. The number of identified contacts also fell from 3,024 to 2,760 (down 9%) during this period. The number of PCR tests carried out amounted to 44,417, compared to 51,274 tests the previous week.

As of Sunday 24 January 2021, the number of active infections stood at 2,065 (compared to 2,408 as of 17 January) and the number of people having recovered from the virus increased from 45,922 to 47,100. The number of weekly deaths fell from nineteen to eight, with the average age of those who died standing at 79.

The situation in hospitals continued to ease, with 62 COVID-19 patients being treated in normal care and fifteen in intensive care, down from 69 and 21 respectively the previous week.

The two COVID-19 consultation centres (CCC), located in Luxembourg-Kirchberg and Esch-sur-Alzette, have recorded a total of 6,481 visits to date, including 283 visits last week (compared to 266 the previous week). Following the decline in the number of visits in recent weeks, the opening hours of the CCCs will be adapted from Monday 1 February 2021. Opening hours: 10:00 - 15:00 every day (including weekends and holidays). 

The effective reproduction rate (RT eff) increased from 0.92% to 1.05%. The positivity rate on all the tests carried out increased from 1.68% to 1.90% over one week (weekly average). The positivity rate on tests performed through a doctor's prescription (i.e. people with symptoms) was 4.63% (down from 5.16%). The incidence rate was 135 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (down from 137) over seven days. 

The incidence rate continued to decline slightly in all age groups. The 0-14 and 60-74 age groups remained those with the lowest incidence rate. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 remained relatively stable at 39.3 years.

For the week of 18 to 24 January, 1,837 people were in isolation (down 10% over one week) and 2,486 were in quarantine (up 5%).

The family circle remained the most frequent context of transmission of COVID-19 infections (38.2%), followed by travel abroad (6.6%). The source of infection was not clearly attributable in 33.7% of cases.

Last week, a total of 3,956 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered, bringing the total to 8,554 (as of 26 January). During this period, 2,712 people received their first dose and 1,244 received their second dose of the vaccine.

The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) indicated an average prevalence of the virus in wastewater at the national and regional level. Whilst the levels of SARS CoV-2 observed in wastewater during the week in question remained significant, a downward trend was observed across all the treatment plants analysed.