COVID-19 Cases Down 9.1%, Weekly Deaths Double

In its latest COVID-19 report, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health confirmed that the number of COVID-19 cases had gone down 9.1% last week compared to the week before.

For the week of 1 to 7 March 2021, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 decreased from 1,315 to 1,194 people (down 9.1%) over one week. The number of identified contacts fell from 3,101 to 2,847 (down 9.2%). The number of PCR tests carried out over one week also decreased, from 64,376 to 61,564.

As of Sunday 7 March 2021, the number o f active infections stood at 2,783 (compared to 2,908 as of 28 February) and the number of people having recovered from the virus increased from 51,934 to 53,229. The number of weekly deaths doubled from twelve to 24 over one week. The average age of those who died stood at 84.

There was a clear increase in hospital admissions, with 86 COVID-19 patients being treated in normal care and 21 in intensive care, compared to 68 and eighteen respectively the previous week.

The two COVID-19 consultation centres (CCC), located in Luxembourg-Kirchberg and Esch-sur-Alzette, have recorded a total of 8,956 visits to date, including 457 visits last week (compared to 401 the previous week).

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (RT eff) increased slightly from 0.96% to 1.00% whilst the positivity rate on all tests performed dropped slightly, from 2.04% to 1.94% over one week (weekly average). The positivity rate on tests performed through a doctor's prescription (people with symptoms) also decreased from 5.42% to 5.03%. 

The incidence rate was 191 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (down from 210) over seven days. The 75+ age group recorded the largest increase (up 46%) over one week, due to a large cluster in a nursing home. The incidence rate remained stable in the 60-74 age group but decreased in all other age groups by 10-20%. The 75+ age group now has the highest incidence rate while the 60-74 age group continues to have the lowest incidence rate. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 increased from 36.8 to 39.3 years.

For the week of 1 to 7 March, 2,703 people were in isolation (up 2% over one week) and 3,089 were in quarantine (down 3%).

The family circle remained the most frequent context of transmission of COVID-19 infections (42.4%), followed by the healthcare sector (6.4%), work (4.3%) and leisure (3.1%) environments. The source of infection was not clearly attributable in 37.4% of cases (up from 33.1%).

Vaccinations

For the week of 1 to 7 March, a total of 8,918 vaccine doses were administered in Luxembourg: 5,493 people received their first dose whilst 3,425 people received their second dose. At present, the Luxembourg authorities expect to have enough doses to vaccinate a total of 75,287 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.

COVID-19 Variants

For the week of 22 to 28 February 2021, population sequencing coverage was 27%, thus significantly higher than the obtimal rate of 10% recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for a representative sample. 

The British variant (B.1.1.7) represented 65% of cases among the 337 samples carried out by the National Health Laboratory (Laboratoire National de Santé - LNS) during this period. The South African variant (B.1.351) represented 16% of cases, whilst one new case of the Brazilian variant (P.1 or P.2) was detected. 

Wastewater Monitoring

The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) indicated a high prevalence of the virus in wastewater nationwide. A downward trend was observed for the week of 1 to 7 March. Analyses in the coming weeks should confirm this trend.