Pit Bach, secretary general of Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) health department, noted that many people contact them because they feel inadequately equipped to conduct their work safely.
Even though 92.5% of residents in retirement and care homes decided to get vaccinated, a number of clusters were registered towards the end of last week, including institutions in Rodange, Bofferdange, and Niederkorn. The Minister for Family Affairs and Integration is addressing the issue in a press conference on Tuesday at 11.45am.
It is now important to find out how the virus was able to spread this quickly so that comparable scenarios can be avoided in the future, Bach explained. Adequate protective gear plays a crucial role in the safety protocols, but recently, more homes have lamented a lack thereof.
Some employees only receive two to four FFP2 masks per month, which they are advised to use regularly. Others have been told to wash them, even though the manufacturer explicitly indicates not to do so.
When it comes to the vaccination rate, 68.7% of residents have by now received their second dose. However, employees in retirement and care homes are far less enthusiastic about the vaccine, the participation rate only amounting to 51% according to the Ministry of Health.
Bach showed understanding and explained that the union will increase its vaccine awareness campaigns. One explanation for the low participation rate could also be related to the fact that many women work in the sector, some who might be pregnant or intend to have a child soon.
In the meantime, the national ethics committee has expressed its willingness to open a dialogue on mandatory vaccines, although they would prefer to avoid similar discussions, committee president Julie-Susanne Bausch emphasised.
Another helpful tool that could be employed in retirement and care homes are rapid tests. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health has not yet indicated when the institutions can expect to get them. It also remains unclear what to do with if the test turns out positive.
During Tuesday's press conference, Minister Cahen said she was unaware of these shortages and asks all affected structures to raise these concerns with the government immediately.
