New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 27 December - 2 January 2022

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has increased from 2,688 to 5,641 cases (+110%) for the week of 27 December to 2 January.

Among the 5,641 new infections, the incidence rate of positive non-vaccinated persons is 952.65 per 100,000 inhabitants and 858.95 per 100,000 inhabitants for those who had a complete vaccination.

Among hospital admissions, 22 out of 47 patients in normal care were not vaccinated (25 had a complete vaccination), while 14 out of 20 patients of intensive care were not vaccinated.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 27 December to 2 January has decreased from 25,070 to 23,008.

151 people reported a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) for the reporting week, compared to 78 the previous week, bringing the number of positive results performed by a health-care worker to a total of 905. Since the introduction of self-tests, 804 positive results have been reported (with 0 cases for the week of 27 December to 2 January). It should be noted that positive RATs are not included in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of 2 January, the number of active infections has increased to 8,448 compared to 5,487 on 26 December, while the number of people healed increased from 93,318 to 95,993. The average age of those diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 is 33.9 years.

For the week of 27 December to 2 January, 5 new deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported. The average age of the deceased is 77 years.

In the hospitals, there were 47 new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care. In intensive care, the number of occupied beds increased from 19 to 20. The average age of patients decreased from 61 to 56 years.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) increased, with 1.30% compared to 0.88% the previous week, while the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) increased from 10.72% to 24.52%.

The 7-day incidence rate increased to 889 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 423 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week.

Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate has increased in all age groups. Apart from the 0-14 year olds who recorded an increase of 37%, the incidence rate recorded an increase of more than 87% in the other age groups. The largest increase was recorded in the 75+ age group (+182%), followed by the 15-29 age group (+178%). The lowest incidence rate is recorded in the 75+ age group, with 257.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Quarantine and isolation

During the week of 27 December to 2 January, 8,122 people were in isolation (+35%) and 2,540 in quarantine (-21%).

Contaminations

 The family circle remains the most frequent source of transmission of COVID-19 infections with 32.8%, followed by travel abroad (10.5%), leisure activities (4.8%) and work (3.1%). The percentage of undetermined sources has decreased (43.4%). Variations (selection bias) due to the day of the week used to depict trends for the whole week cannot be excluded. However, the evolution of sources with a reduction in education-related sources due to school holidays and an increase in travel-related sources due to the end-of-year celebrations seems logical.

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 27 December to 2 January, a total of 30,991 doses were administered. 3,111 people received a 1st dose, 2,341 a 2nd dose and 25,539 people received a complementary dose to a full vaccination, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of 4 December to 1,079,967.

444,896 people have a complete vaccination, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 80.4% of the eligible population (i.e. the 12+ population).

Temporary relocation of the Hall Victor Hugo vaccination centre to Luxexpo The Box

 Following technical problems at the Hall Victor Hugo vaccination centre in Limpertsberg, the centre has been transferred to Luxexpo The Box since 3 January 2022.

People who have scheduled a vaccination appointment at the Hall Victor Hugo vaccination centre in Limpertsberg are asked to present themselves at the vaccination centre in Luxexpo The Box (Luxembourg-Kirchberg) at the date and time of their appointment.

COVID-19: Adaptation of the Contact Tracing procedure to facilitate the tracing of contacts

In view of the strong growth in new COVID-19 infections, the Contact Tracing unit of the Health Inspectorate has adapted its operating mode to increase its reactivity in the follow-up of contacts.

If you tested COVID-19 positive: self-isolate and notify anyone you have been in close contact with within the last 2 days

  • By an antigen self-test (Schnelltest):

If it is not possible to self-report (antigen self-test), you should perform a PCR test or a certified antigen test as soon as possible or contact your physician.

  • By PCR/certified antigen test:

If it is not possible for you to self-report (PCR test or certified antigen test), you will be contacted by Contact Tracing as soon as possible, normally within 48 hours of your test result. If you do not have a computer, please wait for a phone call.

For more information on what to do if you have been in high-risk contact with a COVID-19 positive person, follow this link: https://covid19.public.lu/en/news-covid19/communiques/2021/12/31-adaptation-contact-tracing.html

You will find more information on www.covid19.lu, including how to organise your self-isolation and self-quarantine.

"Pop Up" Vaccination: Lëtzebuerg léisst sech impfen

To increase vaccination coverage, the Government has decided to facilitate access to vaccination by deploying temporary vaccination spots ("Pop Up" Vaccination) and mobile teams will be present in high-traffic areas (pedestrian zones, shopping malls, events organised by some municipalities).

Opening of a new "Pop Up" at Luxembourg Central station

The vaccination spot in the centre of Luxembourg City, which closed on 31 December 2021 as the premises will have to be vacated, is moving to the Central station and will open its doors on 6 January 2022.

Central station Luxembourg (Gare)

Hall of the station

L-1616 Luxembourg

Without appointment: Monday - Friday, 10am to 4pm

In order to avoid long waiting times, it is recommended to wait for the invitation for the booster vaccination that the Luxembourg Government will send by post, giving detailed information on how to proceed. The list of all new vaccination spots is continuously updated and can be consulted on the website www.covid19.lu.

COVID-19: Shortening of the isolation period for COVID-19 positive persons, reduction of the validity period of vaccination certificates to 9 months and adaptation of the CovidCheck 2G+ system

(Please note: the changes below only enter into force after the law is passed!)

Isolation period

On 4 January 2022, the Government Council approved a bill proposing to maintain the maximum duration of isolation at 10 days for persons who have neither a complete vaccination nor a booster vaccination within 6 months.

If the infected persons are vaccinated or have received a booster vaccination, the bill proposes to reduce the isolation period to a maximum of 6 days, provided that the persons concerned carry out 2 rapid antigen tests on the 5th and 6th day of their isolation respectively, and that the result is negative each time.

Validity period of vaccination certificates

In agreement with the European Commission, the general validity period of the vaccination certificates will be set at 270 days (9 months) from the date when the vaccination is considered complete[1].

CovidCheck 2G+ system

The bill approved by the Government Council on 4 January 2022 proposes that the following persons be exempted from the obligation to be tested under the CovidCheck 2G+ system:

  • those who completed their vaccination less than 180 days ago,
  • those who have received a booster vaccination,
  • those with a recovery certificate.

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

There was no testing for coronavirus in wastewater in week 52. https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/

[1] See Article 1, point 27°, of the amended law of 17 July 2020 introducing a series of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

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)

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