Faced with the sharp rise in new COVID-19 infections, the Contact Tracing and Health Helpline teams have been significantly expanded in recent weeks, with a total of 220 people, including 68 from the Luxair group.
As a result of this staff reinforcement, on 27 October the respective services of the Health Inspectorate temporarily relocated to one of Ferrero’s former buildings at Luxembourg Airport.
During a visit to the premises, Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and Luxair’s CEO, Gilles Feith, were able to talk with the teams about their experiences in various posts, ranging from contact tracing calls and the Hotline, to support for logistics and secretarial work.
Feith stated that the reinforcement provided by Luxair staff to the Health Inspection teams - which had been put to the test in recent weeks and months - allowed Luxair to do its part to limit the economic impact of the crisis. Travelling remains possible, and Luxair are doing everything they can to enable their customers to travel in complete safety.
Feith concluded that this was a win-win situation, and that he fully supported the initiative.
After an intensive initial training period, the new recruits have adapted well to their new responsibilities, meaning that the delays incurred over the last few weeks can be made up for in a relatively short amount of time.
Lenert explained that the rapid tracing of cases, the information and support for those affected, as well as the solidarity of the entire population, were indispensable elements in the fight against the spread of the virus.
The minister explained that it was work that required a lot of empathy and a good instinct, and proceeded to thank everyone for their tireless commitment.
During the week of 2-8 November, nearly 12,600 close contacts were identified for more than 4,100 people who tested positive for COVID-19.
The minister again called for citizens to participate in the strategic Large-Scale Testing (LST) scheme, which is a complementary pillar to tracing.
Through the government’s LST scheme, all households in Luxembourg will be invited to get tested. The invitations are issued in stages with the aim of obtaining a better understanding of the spread of the virus among the population. Participating in the LST scheme therefore allows everyone to take part in the effort to detect positive cases and break the chains of infection.
Visit to the premises - the report (in Luxembourgish) of RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg:
