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 had gone down 3.6% last week compared to the week before.

For the week of 8 to 14 February 2021, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 decreased slightly from 1,140 to 1,099 people (down 3.6%) over one week. The number of identified contacts also fell from 4,067 to 2,860 (down 30%). Meanwhile, zhe number of PCR tests carried out over one week increased from 61,480 to 70,617.

As of Sunday 14 February 2021, the number of active infections stood at 2,542 (compared to 2,512 as of 7 February) and the number of people having recovered from the virus increased from 48,816 to 49,770. The number of weekly deaths stood at eleven (compared to fourteen the previous week), with the average age of those who died standing at 85.

The situation in hospitals remained relatively stable, with 55 COVID-19 patients being treated in normal care and thirteen in intensive care, compared to 50 and thirteen respectively the previous week.

The two COVID-19 consultation centres (CCC), located in Luxembourg-Kirchberg and Esch-sur-Alzette, have recorded a total of 7,668 visits to date, including 399 visits last week (compared to 429 the previous week).

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (RT eff) decreased slightly from 1.06% to 1.01% and the positivity rate on all tests performed decreased from 1.85% to 1.56% over one week (weekly average). The positivity rate on tests performed through a doctor's prescription (people with symptoms) decreased from 3.02% to 1.79%. 

The incidence rate was 176 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (down from 182) over seven days. The incidence rate decreased across all age groups except those aged 75 and over, for whom the rate remained stable. The 0-14 age group had the highest incidence rate while the 60-74 age group continued to have an incidence rate that was around half that of the rest of the population. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 increased slightly to 34.7 years.

For the week of 8 to 14 February, 2,409 people were in isolation (up 12% over one week) and 3,470 were in quarantine (down 19%).

The family circle remained the most frequent context of transmission of COVID-19 infections (45.6%), followed by the educational environment (9.8%), the health care and social assistance sector (3.5%) and the workplace (3.4%). The source of infection was not clearly attributable in 31.1% of cases (down from 32.5%).

For the week of 8 to 14 February, a total of 5,271 vaccine doses were administered in Luxembourg: 3,320 people received their first dose whilst 1,959 people received their second dose.

At present, the Luxembourg authorities plan to have vaccinated 71,355 people by the end of March 2021. Allowances are likely to be adjusted from week to week according to the production capacities of manufacturers and deliveries.

The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) indicated a high prevalence of the virus in wastewater at the national level. A slight uptrend was observed at the start of last week but did not appear to have been confirmed by the end of the week.