COVID-19 Cases Down by 10%, Flu Cases High but Stable

Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security has published its weekly retrospective that provides a summary of the evolution of acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for week 5, from Monday 29 January to Sunday 4 February 2024.

The overall trends saw a stabilisation, or slight decline, in the number of COVID-19 cases and positivity rate, a decrease in the number of RSV cases and a stabilisation (at a high level)in the number of flu cases.

COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

For week 5, the number of people positive for SARS-CoV-2 decreased to 140 cases compared to 156 cases the previous week, a decrease of 10%.

The positivity rate decreased to 5.7% compared to 6.5% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater also decreased.

These indicators suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has stabilised.

The latest sequencing data available for weeks showed a preponderance of the JN.1 variant since week 47/2023.

Influenza (flu)

For week 5, the number of cases of influenza (flu) reported by laboratories increased to 1,019 cases compared to 988 cases the previous week, an increase of 3%.

These data largely overlap with LNS sentinel surveillance which indicates high circulation of the influenza virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

For week 5, the number of people positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reported by laboratories decreased to fourteen cases compared to 26 cases the previous week, a decrease of 46%. The peak of the epidemic this season was reached in week 50 from 11 to 17 December 2023.