Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, together with the National Health Laboratory (Laboratoire National de Santé - LNS) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), have published a COVID-19 report for the week of 6 to 12 June 2022.

During the week in question, the number of Luxembourg residents testing positive for COVID-19 increased from 1,934 to 2,824 cases (up 46%).

The number of PCR tests carried out increased from 8,212 to 9,289 over one week.

35 people reported a positive rapid antigen test for the reference week, compared to 27 the week before, bringing the number of positive results following such tests carried out by a healthcare professional to a total of 3,059. Note that positive rapid antigen tests are not taken into account in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of Sunday 12 June 2022, the number of active infections increased to 5,001 from 3,354 the previous week and the number of people having recovered from the illness rose to 246,610 (from 245,443). The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 was 39.4 years old.

One new death related to COVID-19 were reported during the week of 6 to 12 June. The age of the deceased was 82 years old.

In hospitals, there were six new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients to normal care (up from three one week earlier). The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care remained same at one. The average age of hospitalised patients stood at 55 years.

Positivity rate & incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (RT eff) decreased to 1.21% (1.26% the previous week), and the positivity rate on all tests carried out increased from 23.55% to 30.40%.

The incidence rate increased to 438 cases per 100,000 residents over seven days, compared to 300 cases per 100,000 residents for the previous week.

Reinfections as well as certified self-tests were included in the calculation of incidence rates, which increased across all age groups. The largest increase was recorded among 0-14 year olds (up 87%). The lowest incidence rate was recorded among people aged 75 and over (249 cases per 100,000 residents), while the highest incidence rate was recorded among 30-44 year olds (714 cases per 100,000 residents).

Transmission

With the number of cases remaining high, the authorities have found it difficult to contact all the infected individuals during the week in question and therefore to determine the probable source of contamination. Of the 3,628 resident cases recorded during the week of 6 to 12 June, only contacted cases (via telephone) have been reviewed and the source has been determined.

Among the 662 cases contacted during this period (on 6, 11 and 12 June), the family circle was the most frequent source of transmission (30%), followed by travel abroad (17%), education (8%), leisure activities (6%) and work place (5%). The share of undetermined sources increased to 31%.

Vaccinations: update

For the week of 6 to 12 June, 1,586 vaccine doses were administered: 78 people received a first dose, 90 received a second dose, 511 people received a first additional dose compared to a complete vaccination schedule, 906 received a complementary second dose and one received a third complementary dose, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of Monday 13 June 2022 to 1,283,839.

473,684 people have a complete vaccination schedule, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 78.8% of the eligible population (i.e. those aged five and over).

"Impf-Bus on tour" vaccination buses continued to offer their services, with full details on www.impfen.lu.

Wastewater monitoring

According to the latest CORONASTEP report published by LIST, the level of contamination of the thirteen wastewater treatment plants analysed during week 23 of 2022 showed a still high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater at the national level.

At national level, the trend remained similar to previous week, with again a slight increase in SARS-CoV-2 flows. At the regional level, the data was disparate, with significant increase recorded in SARS-CoV-2 flows in certain wastewater treatment plants (Petange, Schifflange, Troisvierges and Wiltz) whilst others exhibited a decrease (Echternach and Beggen).