New COVID-19 cases: week 42 review – 16 to 22 October 2023 … – Gouvernement.lu

The weekly retrospective gives a summary of trends in acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and influenza (influenza virus) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

COVID-19 Decrease of all indicators, hinting to a reduced circulation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) The RSV virus begins to circulate, but at a low level.

Influenza Very few cases of flu have been detected, with circulation at a low level.

From 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 dropped to 220 cases, compared to 350 cases the previous week (-37%). The positivity rate fell to 21% compared with 23% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater confirms the decline in circulation of the virus [1].

These 3 clinical indicators suggest that a peak in the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has recently been reached.

Recent sequencing data showed a preponderance of the EG.5.1 variant (38.7%) [2].

For the week of 16 to 22 October 2023 (week 42), the number of influenza cases reported by laboratories rose to 5, compared with 1 case the previous week.

This data largely overlaps with LNS sentinel surveillance, which indicates increased circulation of rhinoviruses and SARS-CoV-2, but little circulation of influenza viruses.[2]

For week 42 (16 to 22 October 2023), the number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-positive individuals detected by the CHL laboratory rose to 9 cases, compared with 7 the previous week, an increase of 29%.

Although circulation of the RSV virus has just begun, it is still at a low level.

Press release by the Ministry of Health

[1] https://www.list.lu/en/covid-19/coronastep/

[2] https://lns.lu/publications/

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New COVID-19 cases: week 42 review - 16 to 22 October 2023 ... - Gouvernement.lu