New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 14 - 20 December

During the week from 14 to 20 December, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has decreased from 3.422 to 2.681 people (-22%), while the number of identified contacts has not changed significantly, with 8.635 cases, compared to 8.861 (-2%) in the previous week.

The average age of those diagnosed as COVID-19 positive has continued to decrease and is at 38,4 years, compared to 39,3 years before.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 14 to 20 December was 78.271 compared to 70.300 for the previous week.

As of 20 December, the number of active infections was 7.026 (compared to 8.260 on 13.12), while the number of people healed increased from 33.229 to 37.106. During the week in question, there were 38 new deaths related to COVID-19, compared to 44 the previous week. The average age of the deceased is 83 years.

For the week of 14 to 20 December, 181 hospitalisations in normal care and 43 hospitalisations in intensive care of COVID-patients were confirmed, compared to 173 and 47 respectively the previous week. ​

The effective reproduction rate (R) remains 0,87 while the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 3,43%, against 4,87% the previous week (average of the week).

The 7-day incidence rate is 428 per 100,000 residents. Note that for the week of 7 December, the incidence rate was 546 cases per 100.000 inhabitants over 7 days.

During this past week, the incidence rate has decreased in all age groups. At this stage, the incidence in all age groups is similar, with the exception of the 60-74 age group, which has a lower incidence.

Quarantine  and isolation

For the week from 14 to 20 December, 6.838 people were in isolation (-8%) and 8.068 in quarantine (-18% compared to the previous week).

Contaminations

The rate of contamination for which the source is not clearly attributable remains high at 31,9%.

According to the analysis carried out over two full days (14 and 15.12) and covering 952 cases, the family circle remains the most frequent source (40,2%) of COVID-19 infections.

Visits to the COVID-19-Consultation Centres

The two centres (CCC), in Kirchberg and Esch/Alzette, have registered a total of 4.774 visits since opening 27 October and 18 November respectively. In the week from 14 - 20 December, 712 visits were registered.

Please note that the opening hours of the CCC as well as for the Large Scale Testing stations will change over the holidays. The opening hours can be viewed on www.covid19.lu.

Wastewater 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 that during the week of 14 to 20 December, SARS CoV-2 flows in wastewater remain high and are comparable to those observed during the previous week. The latest data collected has yet again confirmed the downward trend observed in previous 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 and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)