The head of Luxembourg's public health sector showed himself cautiously optimistic about the recent coronavirus developments.
The country records fewer than 20 new infections per day, increasing numbers of patients are recovering and there are fewer hospitalisations. The veteran doctor nevertheless warned that a second wave of infections is possible.
It remains challenging to determine where new patients contracted the virus. It is likely that new infections occurred at the workplace or within families. On a more positive note, the doctor explained that Luxembourg has resumed contact tracing due to the low numbers of new infections. The contact tracing procedures are fairly straightforward and involve voluntary phone interviews.
Dr Schmit explained that a tracing app could be helpful as patients often do not remember each of the people they have been in contact with before testing positive. Privacy protection remains a key issue. The traditional form of contact tracing is possible if the daily rate of new infections does not exceed 100, the doctor said.
People who were in contact with a patient that tests positive for the virus are now quarantined for seven days instead of 14 days. A test is carried on the fifth day of quarantine. If the test results comes back negative, the person in question is no longer required to remain in self-isolation
Luxembourg is planning on carrying out extensive testing for the entire population and cross-border workers. According to Dr Schmit, large-scale testing will provide health officials with important information that can be used to devise future strategies.
The doctor advised caution regarding antibody tests. He stressed that technical flaws persist and that the timing was not right yet. Luxembourg has nevertheless already ordered antibody tests that will be used at a later stage.
When asked about the effectiveness of homemade masks, Dr Schmit explained that it largely depends on the quality of the material used. When in doubt, surgical masks may be the better alternative, he said. It is important to wear them correctly, with the coloured side facing outwards.
Full interview in Luxembourgish:
