New COVID-17 cases - Weekly review: 17 - 23 October 2022

During the week of 17 to 23 October, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased to 2,384 cases, compared to 2,855 cases the previous week.

In addition, 962 people were re-infected, representing 28.7% of all those who tested positive, compared to 1,079 (27.4%) the previous week.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 17 to 23 October has decreased from 10,063 to 9,159.

38 people reported a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) for the reporting week, compared to 46 the previous week, bringing the number of positive results performed by a health-care worker to a total of 3,655. It should be noted that positive RATs are not included in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of 23 October, the number of active infections has decreased to 5,729 (from 6,263 on 16 October), while the number of people healed increased from 291,250 to 294,158. The average age of those diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 is 47.9 years.

For the week of 17 to 23 October, 5 new deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported.

The average age of the deceased is 86 years.

In the hospitals, there were 30 new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care, compared to 27 the previous week. In intensive care, the number of occupied beds is 4. The average age of hospitalised patients is 70 years.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) decreased, with 0.88% compared to 1.01% the previous week, while the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) decreased from 28.37% to 26.03%.

The 7-day incidence rate decreased to 369 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 442 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week. (Source monitoring)

By adding reinfections, the incidence rate is 521 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 7 days and 1,136 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days (source INSA). Re-infections as well as certified self-tests were included in the calculation of incidence rates. Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate has decreased in all age groups, except in the 65-69 age group (+4%), the 85-89 age group (+18%) and the 90+ age group (+18%). The lowest incidence rate is recorded in the 0-4 age group with 151 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest incidence rate is recorded in the 90+ age group with 1,422 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Contaminations

Among the 3,362 resident cases in the week of 17 to 23 October 2022, 1,086 cases (32%) were reviewed and the source was determined. ​

The family circle remains the most frequent source of transmission of COVID-19 infections with 20%, followed by the care sector (9%), work (8%), leisure activities (6%) and travel abroad (6%). The percentage of undetermined sources has increased (42%).

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 17 to 23 October 2022, a total of 2,989 doses were administered. 19 people received a 1st dose, 20 a 2nd dose, 182 people received one complementary dose to a full vaccination, 2,674 received a second complementary dose to a full vaccination and 94 received a third complementary dose to a full vaccination and 0 a fourth complementary dose to a full vaccination, the total number of vaccines administered as of 25 October to 1,291.424.

474,737 people have a complete vaccination pattern, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 79% of the eligible population (i.e. the 5+ population).

"Impf-Bus on tour"

The next stops of the "Impf-Bus on tour" will be announced on www.covidvaccination.lu.

Please note that the vaccination can be done without appointment (identity card and CNS card required). The types of vaccination offered are primary vaccination (1st and 2nd doses) and boosters (complementary doses).

Vaccinations in the "Impfbus" are done without prior appointment, which means that you have to wait for your turn, which can cause waiting times, especially during busy periods. In order to avoid long waiting times and for greater convenience, it is advisable to make an appointment at the vaccination centre, with a doctor or at a pharmacy.

The list of all vaccination possibilities can be consulted on the following website: covidvaccination.lu

The evolution of the variants

Variant sequencing data are published every Friday on the website of the National Health Laboratory (Laboratoire national de Santé, LNS) https://lns.lu/en/publications-en/.

Wastewater monitoring in Luxembourg as part of SARS-CoV-2

The CORONASTEP report is published every 15 days.

According to the latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology), the contamination level of the 13 wastewater treatment plants analysed during the 41th and 42th week of 2022 shows a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Wastewater contamination level by SARS-CoV-2 have spiked in week 41, followed by a slight decrease in week 42. Similar trends were observed at the regional level, with a new spike level of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in almost all the STEP studies. All CORONASTEP reports are available on the LIST website:

https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/

Press release by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, the National Health Laboratory (LNS) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)