New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 18 - 24 January

During the week from 18 to 24 January, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 decreased from 859 to 843 (-2%), as did the number of their identified close contacts, dropping from 3,024 cases the previous week to 2,760 (-9%).

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 18 to 24 January was 44,417 compared to 51,274 for the previous week. ​

As of 24 January, the number of active infections was 2,065 (compared to 2,408 on 17.01), while the number of people healed increased from 45,922 to 47,100. The number of new deaths related to COVID-19, decreased significantly from 19 to 8. The average age of the deceased is 79 years.

The average age of those diagnosed as COVID-19 positive remained relatively stable at 39,3 years.

In the hospitals, the situation continued to relax, with 62 hospitalisations in normal care and 15 hospitalisations in intensive care of confirmed COVID patients for the week of 18 to 24 January, compared to 69, respectively 21, the previous week.

The two COVID-19 Consultation Centres (CCCs), located in Kirchberg and Esch-sur-Alzette, have recorded a total of 6,481 visits since their opening, including 283 visits for the week of 18 to 24 January, which is almost identical to the previous week (266).

Due to the decrease in the number of visits in recent weeks, the opening hours of the two COVID-19 Consultation Centres will be adapted as of 1 February. Thus, the CCCs will be open from 10:00 to 15:00 every day, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) increased from 0.92% to 1.05% and the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, Large Scale Testing) rose to 1.90% compared to 1.68% the previous week (average over the week). It should be noted that the positivity rate for tests carried out on prescription, i.e. for people with symptoms, is 4,63%, compared to 5,16% the previous week.

The 7-day incidence rate is 135 per 100,000 residents. Note that for the week of 11 January, the incidence rate was 137 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 7 days.

Compared to last week, the incidence rate continues to decrease slightly in the 0-14 and 60-74 age groups and remains on a stable level in the other age groups. 

Quarantine  and isolation

For the week from 18 to 24 January, 1,837 people were in isolation (-10%) and 2,486 in quarantine (+5% compared to the previous week).

Contamination

For the 843 new cases, the family circle remains by far the most frequent source of transmission of COVID-19 infections with 38,2%, followed by returns from abroad (6,6%).

The rate of contamination for which the source is not clearly attributable increased to 33,7%. 

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 18 to 24 January, a total of 3,956 doses were administered. 2,712 people received a 1st dose and 1,244 received a 2nd dose.

As of 26 January, a total of 8,554 doses have been administered. 

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), indicates an average prevalence of the virus in waste water at national and regional level. While the SARS CoV-2 flows observed during the week of 18 to 24 January in wastewater remain significant, a decreasing trend could be observed for all analysed stations.

All CORONASTEP reports are available on the LIST website: https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/.

Press release by the Ministry of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)