In a televised press conference, Paulette Lenert (LSAP) said the slowing down gave an indication that the measures and discipline was bearing fruit however, she said “It’s not the moment to stop because the hardest times are yet to come […] We’ve not yet reached the peak.”

She urged the public to continue with social distancing measures and to limit leaving their homes as much as possible as an act of solidarity with the country’s most vulnerable people.

According to the latest figures, 2,612 have now tested positive for coronavirus in Luxembourg. Of that number 2,201 were residents and the average age of people who tested positive was 46.

Covid-19 claimed an additional life on Friday, taking the death toll to 31, including one person who was transported from France. A total of 43 people were in intensive care units, of which 10 were from the Grand Est region, notably Thionville, Lenert said.

Lenert pointed out that 174 people had been discharged from hospital and some 500 people are now considered to have recovered from the illness. To be considered as “recovered”, patients must observe a period of 15 days and 48 hours after symptoms.

“The illness is still here but there is an end,” she said.

Testing

According to the minister, Luxembourg continues to have a high rate of testing. To date, 21,463 tests have been carried out. Initially, priority was given to vulnerable patients with symptoms. Since this week, all patients with symptoms are urged to undergo a test, for which they require a doctor’s prescription She said the death rate stood at around 1.1%, however she admitted this rate was somewhat distorted by the high number of tests conducted. “This doesn’t mean it is less dangerous here than elsewhere. Everyone should remain vigilant,” the minister said.

Masks

Lenert supported the use of masks as one of a number of precautions to curb the spread of coronavirus. “We support all initiatives that people take, even if the masks are not professional. I must say a mask doesn’t offer 100% protection.”

Later in the conference, prime minister Xavier Bettel said there were no plans to make the wearing of masks compulsory in Luxembourg.

National immunity testing

Lenert said that professionals were validating a new-generation blood test from a German outfit, which could be used to test the proportion of immunity in a cross section of the population. “We’re among the first countries to put in place such a project,” Lenert said.

End of confinement

Neither Bettel nor Lenert could put a date on when the confinement period would end. Earlier this week, the education ministry pushed back the re-opening of schools and crèches until 4 May. A return to normality will largely depend on the virus’ progression. Bettel said the most likely scenario would be a progressive de-confinement, to allow an evaluation of the situation.