Luxembourg's Ministry of Health, together with the National Health Laboratory (Laboratoire National de Santé - LNS) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), has issued a COVID-19 retrospective for the week of 23 to 29 August 2021.

During this period, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased from 440 to 542 cases (up 23%) and the number of their identified close contacts rose from 887 to 1,514 (up 71%).

Among the 542 new infections, 428 people were not vaccinated (78.9%) whilst 114 people were fully vaccinated (21.1%).

The number of PCR tests carried out decreased from 28,107 the week before to 27,349 last week.

Four people reported a positive rapid antigen test for the reference week (up from three the previous week), bringing the total number of positive results from such tests performed by healthcare professionals to 284. Since the introduction of self-tests, 804 positive results have been reported, with no cases for the week of 23 to 29 August. Positive rapid antigen tests are not taken into account in calculating the positivity rate.

As of Sunday 29 August 2021, the number of active infections stood at 915 (up from 662 as of 22 August) and the number of people having recovered from the virus increased from 73,638 to 73,927. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 increased slightly, from 31.2 to 31.4 years, over one week.

No new COVID-19-related deaths were reported last week.

In hospitals, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care increased from eighteen to 21 over one week. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care increased from four to six. The average age of hospitalised patients decreased from 51 to 47 years. 84.2% of patients in normal care were unvaccinated, whilst none of the patients in intensive care were vaccinated.

Positivity rate & incidence rates

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (RT eff) dropped to 1.10 (1.16 the previous week). The positivity rate on all tests carried out increased from 1.57% to 1.98%, whilst the positivity rate on tests performed through a doctor's prescription (i.e. people with symptoms) increased from 4.91% to 6.18%.

The incidence rate increased across all age groups, from 69 to 85 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days. The lowest incidence rate was recorded in the 60-74 and 75+ age groups.

Quarantine & isolation

During the week of 23 to 29 August, 999 people were in isolation (up 13%) and 972 were in quarantine (up 47%).

Transmission

Travel abroad remained the most frequent context of transmission of COVID-19 infections (29.9%), followed by the family circle (27%) and leisure activities (4.5%). The source of infection was not clearly attributable in 34.7% of cases.

Vaccinations: update

For the week in question, a total of 6,978 vaccine doses were administered in Luxembourg. 2,952 people received their first dose, 3,988 people received their second dose and 38 people received a third dose, bringing the total number of vaccinations administered as of 1 September to 763,335. A total of 391,721 people have been fully vaccinated to date. 

Wastewater monitoring

The level of contamination of the thirteen sampled wastewater treatment plants studied by LIST during the week of 23 to 29 August showed a high national prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 flux values. However, contamination levels appear to have stabilised.