On Saturday 29 February 2020, the Ministry of Health held a press conference at short notice to announce the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.

The patient in question first contacted health officials after displaying symptoms following a return from northern Italy, where the virus had already established a significant presence. A positive test result came out that very same evening.

The patient was subsequently brought to the Hospital Centre Luxembourg (CHL), not because treatment was urgently required, but to isolate the case as early as possible. Nevertheless, Sars-CoV-2 had officially arrived in the Grand Duchy that evening.

At the time, there were no special drugs against the disease, only treatment protocols from abroad suggesting how to deal best with the virus. Luxembourg's neighbouring countries were a few weeks ahead with their first confirmed cases, while Italy had already reported its first deaths.

Only a few weeks later, the country's hospitals and intensive care units approached capacity limits. Since 29 February 2020, CHL counted 900 Covid-19 patients. Ninety-five of them eventually needed intensive care. Many lessons were thus drawn over the course of the year regarding how to deal with the virus.

At the moment, the vaccines give rise to hope, although health care officials and professionals know that there is still a long way ahead. Thirty Covid-19 patients are currently hospitalised at CHL, a number which is expected to increase over the coming weeks.