Confirmation of a first case of a person infected with COVID-19 in Luxembourg

Following the appearance of a first case of a person infected with the COVID-19 disease, the Prime Minister convened, in consultation with the Minister of Health and the High Commissioner for National Protection, the "Pandemic" crisis unit.

The crisis unit met under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and brought together all the ministries and administrations involved in the subject in question.

The patient returned from Northern Italy via an air route to Charleroi. After having developed symptoms of the coronavirus COVID-19, the person contacted, in accordance with the recommendations issued by the Health Directorate, the health authorities in order to undergo a diagnostic test. This test has meanwhile been confirmed by a laboratory in Rotterdam. The patient is hospitalised in isolation. He is symptom-free and doing well.

Although the risk for the population is low at this stage, the crisis unit notes that it is still possible that other cases could occur in Luxembourg. Measures are in place to limit and mitigate the spread of the virus among the population. The people with whom the infected patient had been in contact since his return to Luxembourg have been identified. Quarantine measures have been taken in respect of people who have had direct contact. At this stage, none of these people are showing symptoms and the first tests have proved to be negative.

In this context, travellers from a risk area (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont) ^[1] and who present certain symptoms (fever, cough, respiratory problems) are advised to call the Health Inspectorate (247-85650), respectively 112 outside office hours.

For the time being, the crisis unit does not recommend cancelling events or demonstrations, except those likely to bring together a large number of persons from regions at risk. In case of doubt, the organisers are advised to contact the Health Directorate, which will assess the situation in line with the recommendations of the Robert-Koch-Institut.

For updated general information, the public is asked to consult the FAQs available on the website gouvernement.lu.

A hotline for the general public will operate from 2 March 2020 (from 2 p.m.) under the number 8002 8080. From this date on, this number can be called by any person coming from a risk area (see above) or having had a close contact with an infected person and showing the symptoms of the disease COVID-19 (fever, cough, respiratory problems). The emergency number 112 is reserved for emergencies.

In general, please refer to www.gouvernement.lu for further information on the coronavirus and precautionary measures. The information is available in 5 languages (LU, FR, DE, EN, PT).

The Crisis Cell will continue to monitor the situation closely and meet in case of need.

[1] This list is subject to change. 

Press release by the Ministry of Health, the Office of the High Commissioner for National Protection and the Crisis Communication Service