New COVID-19 cases - Weekly review: 1 - 7 November

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has slightly increased from 1,120 to 1,211 cases (+8%) for the week of 1 to 7 November.

Among the 1,211 new infections, the incidence rate of positive non-vaccinated persons is 283.05 per 100,000 inhabitants and 139.62 per 100,000 inhabitants for those who had a complete vaccination pattern.

Among hospital admissions, 17 out of 29 patients in normal care were not vaccinated (12 had a complete vaccination pattern), while 10 out of 13 patients of intensive care were not vaccinated.

The number of PCR tests performed during the week of 1 to 7 November has decreased from 20,653 to 17,316.

26 people reported a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) for the reporting week, compared to 21 the previous week, bringing the number of positive results performed by a health-care worker to a total of 418. Since the introduction of self-tests, 804 positive results have been reported (with 0 cases for the week of 1 to 7 November). It should be noted that positive RATs are not included in the calculation of the positivity rate.

As of 7 November, the number of active infections has increased to 2,281 compared to 2,043 on 31 October, while the number of people healed increased from 79,194 to 80,162. The average age of those diagnosed positive for COVID-19 has increased from 35.2 to 36.1 years.

For the week of 1 to 7 November, 5 new deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported. The average age of the deceased is 79 years.

In the hospitals, there were 29 new admissions of confirmed COVID-19 patients in normal care, compared to 24 the previous week. In intensive care, the number of occupied beds increased from 10 to 13. The average age of hospitalised patients decreased from 59 to 57 years.

Positivity rate and incidence rate

For the reference period, the effective reproduction rate (R) increased with 1.12% compared to 1.06% the previous week, while the positivity rate on all tests performed (prescriptions, contact tracing) increased from 5.42% to 6.99%.

The 7-day incidence rate increased to 191 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 176 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week.

Compared to the previous week, the incidence rate has increased in all age groups. The largest increase was recorded in the 75+ age group (+47%), followed by the 60-74 age group (+18%). The highest incidence rate is recorded in the 0-14 age group with 298 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The lowest incidence rate is recorded in the 60-74 age group.

Quarantine and isolation

For technical reasons, data on the number of contacts, the number of contacts in quarantine and the number of cases in isolation were not available in time for this weekly report.

Contaminations

For technical reasons, data on the number of contacts, the number of contacts in quarantine and the number of cases in isolation were not available in time for this weekly report.

Primary school Millermoaler in Echternach

In the primary school Millermoaler, 29 positive cases were identified between 25 October and 8 November 2021. 14 of 29 classes were affected. Due to the All Saints' Day holiday, the vast majority of positive cases had no impact on the organisation of classes.

However, due to the high number of cases, the "COVID & Education" steering committee recommended additional measures until 12 November: daily (instead of twice weekly) antigen testing for pupils and staff; permanent wearing of masks for pupils in cycle 2 and above and for teaching and educational staff in affected classes.

Vaccinations: update on the situation

For the week of 1 to 7 October, a total of 13,806 doses were administered. 3,729 people received a 1st dose, 1,589 a 2nd dose and 8,488 people received a complementary dose to a full vaccination, bringing the total number of vaccines administered as of 10 November to 850,173. 419,166 People have a complete vaccination pattern, which corresponds to a vaccination rate of 75.8% of the eligible population (i.e. the 12+ population).

Upcoming events of the "Impf-Bus"

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 level of contamination of the 13 sampled wastewater treatment plants studied by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology) during the week of 1 to 7 November showed a still high prevalence of coronavirus in wastewater at national level. The levels of viral RNA detected were quite similar to those observed during the previous week, but with a slight downward trend. If we consider the data of the past month, a progressive increase is visible. 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)

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