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

For the week of 18 to 24 October, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has increased from 786 to 981 cases (+25%), as well as the number of their identified close contacts, which increased to 4,031, compared to 3,114 cases the week before (+29%).

Among the 981 new infections, the incidence rate of positive non-vaccinated persons is 241.39 per 100,000 inhabitants and 104.76 per 100,000 inhabitants for those who had a complete vaccination schedule.

Among hospital admissions, 11 out of 17 patients in normal care were not vaccinated (6 had a complete vaccination pattern), while 5 out of 7 patients of intensive care were not vaccinated.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 18 to 24 October has increased from 16,480 to 16,754.

13 people reported a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) for the reporting week, compared to 17 the previous week, bringing the number of positive results performed by a health-care worker to a total of 371. Since the introduction of self-tests, 804 positive results have been reported (with 0 cases for the week of 18 to 24 October). It should be noted that positive RATs are not included in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of 24 October, the number of active infections has increased to 1,691 (from 1,395 on 17 October), while the number of people healed increased from 77,746 to 78,430. The average age of those diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 has increased from 31.9 to 33.8 years.

For the week of 18 to 24 October, 2 new deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported. The average age of the deceased is 71 years.

In the hospitals, the situation remains stable, with 17 new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care (compared to 15 the previous week) and 7 occupied beds in the intensive care unit (compared to 4 the previous week). The average age of inpatients decreased from 67 to 51 years.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) slightly increased with 1.17% compared to 1.11% the previous week, while the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) increased from 4.77% to 5.86%.

The 7-day incidence rate increased to 155 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 124 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week.

Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate has increased in all age groups, except in the 75+ age group (-10%). The largest increase was recorded in the 60-74 age group (+89%), followed by the 15-29 (+51%) and the 45-59 age groups (+51%).

The highest incidence rate is recorded in the 0-14 age group with 231 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The lowest incidence rates are recorded in the 75+ age group.

Quarantine and isolation

During the week of 18 to 24 October, 1,740 people were in isolation (+13%) and 4,169 in quarantine (+23%).

Contaminations

For the 981 new cases, the family circle remains the most frequent source of transmission of COVID-19 infections with 34.8%, followed by education (14.3%), leisure activities (7.2%) and work (6.5%). The rate of contamination for which the source is not clearly attributable increased to 29.7%.

Scenario 4 at the National school for adults (Ecole Nationale pour Adultes - ENAD)

On 14 and 15 October 2021, two positive cases were diagnosed in a "5e"-class at the National school for adults. The class was quarantined on 19 October following the detection of a third and fourth case. Testing revealed 3 more cases, bringing the total number of positive cases to 7 and thus initiating a scenario 4.

The measures implemented prevented the virus from spreading to other classes in the school.

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 18 to 24 October, a total of 10,556 doses were administered. 4,734 people received a 1st dose, 2,330 a 2nd dose and 3,492 a 3rd dose, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of 26 October to 808.801. 415,448 people have a complete vaccination pattern, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 75,1% of the eligible population (i.e. the 12+ population).

Free COVID-19 PCR tests for persons, who received a first dose of a COVID-19-vaccine before 10 November

People who have decided to get vaccinated before 10 November, will receive 5 vouchers for COVID-19 PCR tests in order to be tested free of charge during the transition phase before receiving their second dose. The vouchers can be used in every certified medical analysis laboratory in Luxembourg (BioNext, Ketterthill, Laboratoires réunis).

This extension of the original date of 1 November is intended to encourage those who have not yet made up their minds to get vaccinated before the new CovidCheck system comes into force on 1 November.

Upcoming events of the "Impf-Bus on tour"

The vaccination bus will be present at the following events:

• 29/10 11am – 15pm, Parking Kichechef, Capellen
• 29/10 11am – 5pm, City Concorde, Bertrange
• as well as in various districts of the City of Luxembourg.

More information can be found on: https://www.vdl.lu/de/die-stadt/coronavirus-covid-19/mobiles-impfzentrum-impf-bus.

Please note that the vaccination can be done without appointment (identity card and CNS card required). People who come for their 2nd dose must also bring their vaccination certificate for the 1st dose.

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/departement/department-of-microbiology/revilux/.

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

The contamination level of the 13 analysed wastewater treatment plants sampled by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) during the week of 18 to 24 October still shows a high national prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 flux values. The levels of viral RNA detected were quite similar to those observed during the previous week, but with a slight upward trend. At regional level, the general trend is very similar.

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)