New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 3 - 9 October 2022

During the week of 3 to 9 October, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 increased to 3,004 cases, compared to 2,324 cases the previous week.

In addition, 1,246 people were re-infected, representing 29.3% of all those who tested positive, compared to 876 (27.4%) the previous week.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 3 to 9 October has increased from 8,796 to 10,274.

38 people reported a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) for the reporting week, compared to 35 the previous week, bringing the number of positive results performed by a health-care worker to a total of 3,571. It should be noted that positive RATs are not included in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of 9 October, the number of active infections has increased to 5,666 (from 3,965 on 2 October), while the number of people healed increased from 287,692 to 288,991. The average age of those diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 is 45.2 years.

For the week of 3 to 9 October, 4 new deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported. The average age of the deceased is 69 years.

In the hospitals, there were 26 new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care, compared to 14 the previous week. In intensive care, the number of occupied beds is 1. The average age of hospitalised patients is 60 years.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) decreased, with 1.10% compared to 1.31% the previous week, while the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) decreased from 26.42% to 29.24%.

The 7-day incidence rate increased to 465 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 360 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week. 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 increased in all age groups, except in the 5-9 age group (-45%). The largest increase was recorded in the 90+ age group (+115%), followed by the 85-89 age group (+66%).

The lowest incidence rate is recorded in the 0-4 age group with 217 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest incidence rate is recorded in the 90+ age group with 1,231 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Contaminations

Among the 4,297 resident cases in the week of 3 to 9 October 2022, 612 cases (14%) were reviewed and the source was determined. ​ The family circle remains the most frequent source of transmission of COVID-19 infections (20%), followed by work (11%) and education (6%). The percentage of undetermined sources has increased (45%).

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 3 to 9 October 2022, a total of 2,117 doses were administered. 10 people received a 1st dose, 26 a 2nd dose, 123 people received one complementary dose to a full vaccination, 1,904 received a second complementary dose to a full vaccination and 54 received a third complementary dose to a full vaccination, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of 9 October to 1,290,961.

474,681 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 covidvaccination.lu.

Please note that the vaccination can be done without appointment (identity card and CNS card required). The type of vaccination offered is the initial vaccination and the booster dose.

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.

Reopening of the vaccination centre in Esch-Belval

In order to prepare the population as well as possible for possible waves of infection during the coming autumn and winter, the Luxembourg government is reopening the vaccination centre Esch-Belval as of Thursday 13 October 2022 Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and Saturday from 7am to 1pm.

In addition to the vaccination centre, it is possible to get vaccinated at medical offices or pharmacies participating in the vaccination campaign, as well as in the "Impfbus". The list of all vaccination possibilities can be consulted on the following website: covidvaccination.lu

The evolution of the variants

Variant sequencing data is 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 39th and 40th week of 2022 shows a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Wastewater contamination level by SARS-CoV-2 has risen slightly in week 39, followed by a notable decrease in week 40. This downward trend observed, needs to be viewed with caution due to the large amounts of precipitation in week 40, the SARS-Cov-2 might have been dilluted. Regionally, the levels of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 are more or less stable, with similar tendencies as on national level.

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)