During the week of 7 to 13 September, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 remains practically unchanged with 282 people compared to 281 the previous week. The number of PCR tests carried out on residents amounts to 50,912 compared to 47,868 the previous week.
As of 13 September, the number of active infections was 564 (compared to 581 as of 06.09.), while the number of people healed increased from 6.257 to 6.556. Hospital capacity was a little more strained than in the previous week and no new deaths related to COVID-19 are to be deplored.
The effective reproduction rate (R) remained stable with 1.02 while the positivity rate on the tests carried out was 0.55% compared to 0.59% (average of the week) the previous week.
The 7-day incidence rate is 45,04 per 100,000 residents.
During the week of 7 to 13 September, the average age of those diagnosed as COVID-19 positive has remained relatively low for the second consecutive week with 31 years, which can be explained by the testing campaign carried out among young people aged 4 to 20 before the start of the school year.
Quarantine and isolation
For the week of 7 to 13 September, 1.394 people were in quarantine (-8% compared to the previous week) and 581 in isolation (-0.4% compared to the previous week).
Distribution of quarantines by age group
0-14 years |
15-29 years |
30-44 years |
45-59 years |
60+ years |
||
29.06.2020 |
05.07.2020 |
21% |
32% |
23% |
20% |
4% |
06.07.2020 |
12.07.2020 |
27% |
27% |
23% |
19% |
3% |
13.07.2020 |
19.07.2020 |
29% |
27% |
21% |
19% |
4% |
20.07.2020 |
26.07.2020 |
25% |
24% |
24% |
21% |
6% |
27.07.2020 |
02.08.2020 |
23% |
27% |
24% |
20% |
5% |
03.08.2020 |
09.08.2020 |
25% |
26% |
23% |
21% |
6% |
10.08.2020 |
16.08.2020 |
18% |
27% |
25% |
22% |
7% |
17.08.2020 |
23.08.2020 |
17% |
30% |
25% |
22% |
6% |
24.08.2020 |
30.08.2020 |
18% |
30% |
24% |
21% |
6% |
31.08.2020 |
06.09.2020 |
19% |
31% |
24% |
22% |
5% |
07.09.2020 |
13.09.2020 |
25% |
25% |
25% |
20% |
6% |
Sources of contamination
The proportion of holiday-related cases continues to decrease from 44% to 31%, but remains the most important cause. Of the 282 positive cases for the week of 7 to 13 September, 31% are indeed linked to travel abroad. The Ministry of Health reiterates the importance of respecting health instructions even during holidays abroad. It is an essential part of the fight against the spread of the virus.
Further, 27% of the cases were transmitted within families and 3% of the cases were related to family or friends' parties. 2% of the cases are from 2 previously identified active clusters (leisure, housing communities).
Waste water monitoring in Luxembourg as part of SARS-CoV-2
According to the latest CORONASTEP report on the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in waste water in Luxembourg, prepared by the LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology), it appears that the national level of SARS-CoV-2 contamination increased slightly during week 37, although geographical differences persist. The apparent national increase is mainly due to the increase in SARS-CoV-2 reported in three of the four most contaminated treatment plants (Beggen, Schifflange and Bettembourg), while the other treatment plants remain at a low level of contamination. It should be noted that signs of SARS-CoV-2 are no longer detectable in seven of the thirteen treatment plants analysed, namely Mersch, Echternach, Grevenmacher, Uebersyren, Troisvierges, Boevange-sur-Attert and Wiltz.
Press release by the Ministry of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)