Following this week’s technical problems, the ministry of Health has released its report on last week’s Covid-19 figures this Friday.
According to Paulette Lenert, the minister of health, prospects look bleak for the new year. Easing restrictions would not be possible at this time and would send the wrong message to the public. Compared to the previous week, the latest figures show an increase of 232 cases, adding up to 3,797 new infections.
Interestingly, the ministry has said that the rate of positive cases in the large-scale testing has fallen by 2%. Figures for water purification plants have improved, too. This suggests that the spread of the virus is being better detected in the wider population, compared to previous weeks. In the third week of closures in the Horesca sector, most new infections are due to spread of the virus within families, accounting for 30% of new overall infections. However, 40% of new infections can no longer be traced back.
Overall, positive cases increased slightly from 3,778 the previous week to 3,797 for the week of 30 November to 6 December.
The number of fatalities decreased last week, from 50 to 39 deaths, of which 56% were men and 70% were above the age of 80. The average age of fatalities in Luxembourg is 82.
The majority of people, roughly 65%, passed away in hospitals, of which 16% were sent there from a care home. 31% of Covid-19 deaths occurred in such facilities, compared to 4% of people who died at home.
Last week, 201 cases were being treated in hospitals, 16 fewer than the previous week. 41 Covid-19 patients were in intensive care, down from 43. The average age of hospital patients who are being treated for Covid is 66. The average age of new cases lies at over 40.
