Weekly review - Week 10 from 4 to 10 March 2024

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

Trends of the week

COVID-19: Decrease in the number of cases and the positivity rate of COVID-19.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Stabilisation of the number of RSV cases at a low level.

Influenza: Decrease in the number of influenza cases.

COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

From 4 to 10 March 2024 (week 10), the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 dropped to 32 cases, compared to 42 cases the previous week (-24%).

The positivity rate fell to 2.3% compared to 2.6% the previous week. The viral concentration detected in wastewater is decreasing. [1]

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

The latest sequencing data available show a preponderance of the JN.1 variant (86.7%) followed by the BA.2.86 variant (11.1%). It should be noted that variant JN.1, a descendant of variant BA.2.86, has predominated since week 47 of 2023. [2]

Influenza

For the week of 4 to 10 March 2024 (week 10), the number of influenza cases reported by laboratories decreased to 157 cases from 206 cases in the previous week, a decrease of 24% compared to the previous week.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

For the week of 4 to 10 March 2024 (week 10), the number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-positive individuals detected by laboratories rose to 13 cases, compared with 11 cases the previous week. Given the small numbers involved, this weekly variation indicates that the number of RSV cases has stabilised at a low level. The peak of the epidemic this season was reached in week 50, from 11 to 17 December 2023.

As of today, the weekly press release on respiratory infections will no longer be published. Depending on the evolution of the situation, we will resume the publication of the press release if necessary.

Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security 

 

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

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