The summer term has ushered in a new routine for thousands of Luxembourg’s pupils. The first rapid tests were distributed a week after the Easter holidays. Now, two weeks later, the majority of students have undergone at least two self-administered rapid tests.
Minister of Education Claude Meisch praised the participation rates, saying around 85.5% had taken part in the testing this week. This represents a significant increase when compared to large-scale testing, where around 40-50% of students and staff were tested per week.
Meisch added that the rapid test results would provide a useful overview of the virus’ behaviour in the general population. However, one in 7 students have declined the tests so far, for multiple reasons.
The minister said it was normal for some people to have reservations over the tests, but hoped they would agree to participate as they observed the rollout amongst fellow students.
Meisch said he would not be surprised if some final year students had declined the tests amid fears of missing important exams. He encouraged pupils to get tested in time, saying this would increase their chances of going into exams without fear of infection.
Students in Première - the final year of secondary school - have each received a box of 10 rapid tests to use at home.
The minister went on to say there had not yet been any issues with false notifications from the platform used to enter the test results. He said he hoped the system would make extracurricular activities and hobbies simpler in the future as well.
To date there is no data on the reliability of the tests used in schools. In the pilot phase, prior to the Easter holidays, ten positive rapid tests were compared with 10 positive PCR tests to certify their efficacy.
In-person lessons resume for upper classes
A number of secondary schools have reintroduced in-person learning for the upper classes, replacing distance learning. This will be rolled out nationally as well, confirmed Meisch. The next week will prove decisive as to whether apprenticeships will resume in-person as well. The ministry is currently working on a system to test more precisely across the board. Meisch said he expected all classes to be back in school full-time following the May half-term.
Meisch added that he did not expect a shortage of rapid tests in schools, as the necessary capacity has already been allocated.
0.078% positivity rate
In the first week of the rollout (April 19-25), when the tests were tried at home, 27 positive cases were reported.
The following week (April 26 to April 30), 43 positive cases were reported out of 49,777 tests performed. This amounts to a positivity rate of 0.078% in primary schools and secondary schools.
