New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 16 - 22 November

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 continues to decrease slightly, but remains at a high level, with 3,851 cases for the week of 16 to 22 November, compared to 4,013 cases for the previous week. However, the number of contacts identified has increased significantly to 15,072 (+69%), due in particular to the recent substantial reinforcement of the contact tracing team.

The average age of those diagnosed as COVID-19 positive continues to decrease from 40.6 to 39.8 years.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 16 to 22 November was 69,076 compared to 67,734 for the previous week.

As of 22 November, the number of active infections was 8,834 (compared to 9,339 on 15.11.), while the number of people healed increased from 17,685 to 22,004. During the week in question, there were 37 new deaths related to COVID-19, compared to 39 the previous week. The average age of the deceased is 83 years.

For the week of 16 to 22 November, 186 hospitalisations in normal care and 45 hospitalisations in intensive care of COVID patients were recorded, compared to 170 and 42 respectively the previous week. ​

The effective reproduction rate (R) rose from 0.97 to 1.00 while the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 5.53%, against 5.92% the previous week (average of the week).

The 7-day incidence rate is 615 per 100,000 residents, respectively 1,256 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days. Note that for the week of 16 November, the incidence rate was 641 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 7 days.

It increased among 0-14 year olds and the 75+ age group, while in all other age groups and consequently in the general population the trend continues to decline. ​ The 75+ age group is the most affected, followed by the 15-29 age group. In the 60-74 age group, the incidence rate has been declining for three consecutive weeks and this is now the age group with the lowest rate.

Quarantine and isolation

For the week of 16 to 22 November, 8,057 people were in isolation (-8%) and 9,820 in quarantine (-10% compared to the previous week).

Contamination

The rate of contamination for which the source is not clearly attributable remains high at 40%.

According to the analysis carried out over two full days (16 - 17/11) and covering 1,323 cases, the family circle remains the most frequent source (34.2%) of COVID-19 infections.

Waste water monitoring in Luxembourg as part of SARS-CoV-2

The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) shows that during the week of 16 to 22 November, SARS-CoV-2 RNA flows in wastewater were very comparable to those observed during the previous week. ​ The level of contamination remains at high values in the thirteen treatment plants analysed, indicating a still very high prevalence of the virus in wastewate For the second time, the data collected this week seems to indicate a slight downward trend, although it remains very weak. This trend will have to be confirmed in the coming days or weeks. All CORONASTEP reports are available on the LIST website: https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/.

Press release by the Ministry of Health

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