The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 continues to decrease slightly, but remains at a high level, with 4,013 cases for the week of 26 October to 1 November, compared to 4,133 cases for the previous week. However, the number of identified contacts decreased significantly to 8,937 (-29%). The average age of those diagnosed as COVID-19 positive decreased from 41.4 to 40.6 years.
The number of PCR tests carried out amounts to 67,734 compared to 69,076 the previous week.
As of 15 November, the number of active infections was 9,286 (compared to 9,622 on 08.11.), while the number of people healed increased from 13,424 to 17,734. During the week in question, there were 39 new deaths related to COVID-19, compared to 35 the previous week. The average age of the deceased is 85 years.
The relatively stable level of the number of new infections is also reflected in hospitals, especially in normal care, with a slight increase in intensive care.
The effective reproduction rate (R) rose from 0.81 to 0.98 while the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 5.92%, against 5.98% the previous week (average of the week).
The 7-day incidence rate is 641 per 100,000 residents, respectively 1,315 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days. Note that for the week of 2 November, the incidence rate was 660 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 7 days.
It increased among 15-29 year olds and 20-34 year olds, while in all other age groups and consequently in the general population the trend continues to decline. The 15-29 age group still stands out as the most affected, followed by the 75+ age group, as well as the 30-34 age group. Among young people aged 0-14, the trend has been reversed, the incidence rate has fallen slightly and remains lower than for adults.
Quarantine and isolation
For the week of 9 to 15 November, 8,776 people were in isolation and 7.874 in quarantine (-11% compared to the previous week).
Contamination
The rate of contaminations whose source is not clearly attributable remains high. In view of the high number of new infections, the identification of sources is currently not possible for all cases.
Waste water monitoring in Luxembourg as part of SARS-CoV-2
As in the previous week, three separate sampling days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, were conducted during the week of November 9 to 15.
The latest CORONASTEP report drawn up by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) shows that during the week in question, SARS-CoV-2 RNA flows in wastewater were very comparable to those observed during the previous 2 weeks. The level of contamination therefore remains in the thirteen treatment plants analysed at high flow values, indicating a still very high prevalence of the virus in wastewater. Data collected during the week of 9 to 15 November does not confirm the slight downward trend observed the previous week at the 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