There are now 2,612 positive cases of corona in Luxembourg, with one additional death since Thursday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 31. On Friday at noon there were 232 hospitalised patients of which 33 in intensive care. 10 intensive care patients were brought over from the Grand Est region.
174 patients have been discharged from hospital, and a total of 500 people have seen themselves recover. 21,485 tests have been completed since the start of the crisis.
Lenert explained that the average age of patients is 68. The elderly remain most at risk, the minister said, as the age category of 70-79 has seen a high increase in cases recently. She called on family members and neighbours to keep an eye out for the vulnerable members of society.
Lenert said, however upsetting, it most likely won't be possible for families to visit family members in care homes over Easter. She is, however, confident that Luxembourg has established an effective system to deal with the crisis, also seen in the number of tests carried out and a reduction in confirmed cases.
It's too early to say, Bettel concluded. Although the government is currently shaping a "step by step plan" to bring life back to normal, strict monitoring must be put in place to ensure the pandemic has passed once shops and schools open their doors again. To be hasty now could undo the efforts made thus far.
Bettel again reiterated the importance of staying at home: "Going to Cactus shouldn't be an excursion," he said. Going to the supermarket with the family, or going to the supermarket on a daily basis "just to get out of the house, is not the solution." Asked whether an app could monitor social distancing, already put to use in Germany, Bettel frowned: "Moi, j'aime pas".
1,830 orders have been done through Letzshop, the online shopping site for vulnerable residents, and the prime minister urged all to continue doing so.
Masks are part of the measures implemented to prevent spread of the virus, but they are not obligatory, the prime minister explained, adding it would be way too early to implement such a rule. While Bettel stated "it's better to wear one than not" people should first be aware that wearing a mask does not totally prevent the spread of the virus.
Three Cargolux flights delivered vital medical equipment and material this week, including 43 ventilators. The CGDIS are currently handling all logistical work in regards to response and treatment.
"We are far from the end of this pandemic," Lenert said.
180 police controls took place on Thursday. 60 people were given verbal warnings, mainly due to not respecting social distancing. "Some people are still meeting in groups," Bettel told the press, exasperated.
Luxembourg is slowly reaching its maximum testing capacity. More test kits are on the way, including kits developed in Germany and in South Korea.
A new approach will be put in place to paint a wider picture of how many people in the country are affected by the virus. A new system for 3-hour testing is being rolled out from a lab in Esch-Alzette.
Research is in place for recovered people and the possibility to search for 'immunity'/'vaccine'. Luxembourg is at the forefront of this research. Lenert confirmed that this will be carried out via blood testing.
A press conference covering this will be scheduled very soon.
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