According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security, there has been a decrease in the cases of COVID-19 and flu and a slight decrease in the cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the week 52, i.e. from Monday 25 December to Sunday 31 December 2023.
The ministry publishes a weekly retrospective report which provides a summary of the evolution of acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 fell from 686 to 338 over one week, representing a decrease of 51%. The positivity rate dropped from 26% to 20%.
These indicators suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has decreased, which is probably linked to departures during the end-of-year holidays. A similar drop was also noted in 2022 during the end-of-year holidays.
The latest sequencing data available for weeks 48-50 showed a preponderance of the JN.1 variant, followed by the BA.2.86 variant and the XBB.1.9 variant.
Flu
The number of cases of influenza (flu) reported by laboratories decreased from 375 to 332 over one week, i.e. a decrease of 16%.
According to the ministry, these data largely overlap with LNS sentinel surveillance which indicated high circulation of the influenza virus, followed by SARS-CoV-2.
RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus)
For week 52, the number of people positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) declared by laboratories decreased to 77 cases compared to 141 cases the previous week, i.e. a decrease of 45%.
