Experts last week had said that Luxembourg had likely reached the peak of the latest pandemic wave, caused by the omicron variant and a highly contagious sub-variant. And the number of new infections between 28 March and 3 April decreased by 15% compared to the week before, from 9,550 to 8,110 cases.

The number of people isolating, however, remained high at 22,028 compared to 19,049. Under current rules, people who contracted the virus must isolate until they test negative two consecutive days in a row. There is no minimum isolation period.

Germany this week announced that it would make isolation in case of infection voluntary from 1 May. This decision raised concern for vulnerable groups as the move comes after mask mandates and other restrictions were largely lifted.

The UK already last month said it would no longer legally require people who tested positive to isolate.

Luxembourg in February had removed quarantine for people who are vaccinated and were in contact with a contaminated person. This came as the omicron variant threatened to shut down essential sectors of the economy as hundreds of teachers and other workers were off sick or had to quarantine.

Only 11 people were in quarantine last week.

Just over 18,100 infections were considered active but the number of people requiring hospital treatment remained low. On Monday, the latest data available at the time of writing, 26 people were being treated for complications from a coronavirus infection with another three covid-positive patients in intensive care.

The pandemic death toll stands at 1,042.

The number of people getting vaccinated is further slowing down, with just 97 people receiving a first dose last week. This leaves Luxembourg’s vaccination rate hovering around 78.6% of the eligible population, including those aged five or over.

A vaccine mandate for over 50s and healthcare staff has not yet been ruled out in anticipation of another infections wave next autumn.