Covid cases keep rising, infections up 5% in past week

The number of Covid-19 infections is continuing to rise in Luxembourg, with a further 5% increase in new cases last week and hospitalisations at levels not seen in almost two months, the latest figures from the Health Ministry showed.

There are now 104 people currently in hospital, 20 of whom are in intensive care, the highest number since early January.

The country reported 267 new cases on Wednesday, well above the level of 200 cases which the daily rate has been hovering around over recent weeks. Last week, 1,303 people tested positive, up from 1,249 over the previous seven days.

The data came as researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology (LIST) registered the third consecutive weekly rise in coronavirus in wastewater treatment plants, seen as a reliable indicator of how widespread the virus is throughout the population.

LIST said the findings from the wastewater shows “a strong prevalence of the virus at a national level”.

The country’s vaccination programme is continuing to pick up speed after a stuttering start, although it remains one of the slowest in Europe. A total of 40,460 doses had been administered as of Tuesday, of which 28,476 were first doses, and a further 11,984 second doses.

The government announced on Monday that the first invitations for vaccinations have been sent to those aged 65 and under, who will receive the AstraZeneca jab.

Luxembourg's council for infectious diseases recommended last month that the BioNTech/Pfizer or the Moderna vaccines be given to those aged over 65, and the AstraZeneca dose to anyone younger.

Luxembourg City announced the introduction of a free transport service on Wednesday for all residents who have been invited to receive a vaccination. Officials are keen to encourage uptake of the vaccination programme, with only one in two people turning up to receive their jab, the Luxembourg Times revealed last week.

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