The Ministry of Health published an overview of last week's coronavirus situation. Furthermore, Minister of Education Claude Meisch sat down with actors in education after being criticised for his lack of transparency.

The next days will play a decisive role in the government's short-term coronavirus plan, says Minister of Health Paulette Lenert.

Now that the new restrictions are in place for over a week there are some small indications that numbers are dropping. "At least they are not rising," assured the minister.

Hospitalised patients spend an average of 10 days in care, which, compared to 21 days during the first wave, is much shorter. The overall number of patients in hospital is climbing, but not alarming. In terms of hospital staff and contact tracing workload, however, the current capacity is not sufficient.

The economic impact of a complete lockdown is severe, but "there are models where some shops can stay open. We need to find the right balance and efficiency," says Lenert. Reevaluation of the situation is expected on Friday.

Read also: Care home staff could remain on duty despite a positive test result

Last week: 39% increase in cases, but more testing

Every Wednesday, the ministry publishes an overview of the coronavirus situation in Luxembourg from the previous week. Here is what we know:

  • 15,505 more resident tests than the week before, namely 76,614
  • 4,701 total cases - 750 cases per 100,000 residents
  • Active infections have increased from 4,683 to 8,224
  • Effective reproduction rate has dropped from 1.62 to 1.14
  • Average age of positive cases is 41.2 years old
  • 12,656 people in contact with infected individuals, 8,149 in quarantine

Discussions between education ministry and various actors

The situation in schools has stirred quite some discussions, and Minister of Education Claude Meisch is criticsed for not being transparent enough with actors in education and the public.

Read also: An open letter to Minister of Education Claude Meisch

Meisch met with actors on Wednesday about updated sanitary measures should current numbers remain where they are now. Teachers' unions are disappointed with delays in testing, meaning that students and teachers must remain in isolation awaiting their results, missing out on contact lessons.

Here is a final extract of the press communication:

"The organisations and associations agreed unanimously on the importance of keeping schools open to ensure young people's right to education and continuity of learning. The need to adapt the health system in case the number of infections remains high was also mentioned.

The Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth is currently working with the Health Inspectorate to remedy several of these difficulties, in particular the procedure for sending out test orders and the adaptation of certain measures in the health system."

Video report in Luxembourgish: