COVID-19 Cases Up by 25%, Flu Cases Up by 41%

Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security has published a weekly retrospective that provides a summary of the evolution of acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for week 4, from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 January 2024.

The overall trends saw a stabilisation in the number of COVID-19 cases and slight decrease in the COVID-19 positivity rate, an increase in the number of RSV cases and an increase in the number of flu cases.

COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

For week 4, the number of people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 increased to 156 cases compared to 153 cases the previous week, an increase of 25%.

The positivity rate decreased to 6.5% compared to 7.4% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater also decreased.

These indicators suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has stabilised.

The latest sequencing data available showed a preponderance of the JN.1 variant since week 47/2023.

Influenza 

For week 4, the number of cases of influenza (flu) reported by laboratories increased to 988 cases compared to 703 cases the previous week, an increase of 41%.

These data largely overlap with LNS sentinel surveillance which indicates high circulation of the influenza virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

For week 4, the number of people positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reported by laboratories decreased to 26 cases compared to 15 cases the previous week, a decrease of 73%. The peak of the epidemic this season was reached in week 50 from 11 to 17 December 2023.