Dr Nati explained that the country finds itself in the midst of the fifth Covid-19 wave. About 14,000 novel infections have been recorded over the past two weeks, which is the highest rate since the beginning of the pandemic.
Nevertheless, hospitalisations have not yet risen according to these elevated infection rates. Dr Nati further explained that so far, no surgeries have had to be postponed, but that CHL has a plan in place to react quickly if it becomes necessary.
Vaccinations are still the best means to fight the coronavirus, Dr Nati noted, especially if combined with a mask mandate and restrictions on physical contact.
The CHL director also expressed his support for a general vaccine mandate. If that is not possible, then there should at least be sectorial mandates or ones designed to protect older and more vulnerable age groups.
Vaccinated coronavirus patients currently hospitalised at CHL are mostly older people whose immune systems are not as responsive, Dr Nati conveyed.
Unvaccinated patients are often younger, although there are still not many cases of children having to be hospitalised after contracting the virus.
Statistics provided by the Health Directorate show that since the beginning of the pandemic, 85% of regular hospitalisations affected people above the age of 40. 92% of ICU patients were also older than 40.
Dr Nati acknowledged that the vaccines’ efficacy decreases over time, but said that the booster is an adequate tool to counteract this problem. When asked about the Israeli studies that show that protection decreases even quicker after the fourth shot, the CHL director replied that one still has wait for studies about the new variants.
When asked about personnel shortages due to Omicron, Dr Nati noted that the situation in Luxembourg is similar to the one in many European countries at the moment. 50 CHL employees are currently isolated, but most only have light symptoms. 95% of the hospital staff are vaccinated and had the booster shot.
