More recent updates here
Sunday 5 April, 8:30pm
The daily death rate in Italy reached a two-week low on Sunday when 525 people died from covid-19, compared to 681 the day before. The head of Italy’s civil protection said that there had also been a drop in the number of people in hospital or requiring intensive care. Austria reported more recoveries than new cases and Sweden’s government is drawing up legislation to impose tougher restrictions on movement. The country, which has taken a softer approach than other Nordic countries, has a death toll per million inhabitants of 37.
Meanwhile, in a surprise development, Ireland prime minister Leo Varadkar will work one shift a week in his country's health service after rejoining the medical register. Varadkar worked as a doctor for seven years before leaving for politics.
Sunday 5 April, 5:40pm
The latest government figures for Luxembourg show that a total 2,804 individuals have tested positive for covid-19 in Luxembourg (up from 2,729 as of 4 April around 5:45pm). The total number of deaths has risen to 36* (up from 31*).
233 people are in hospital, of which 33* are in intensive care. A total of 241 patients who were diagnosed with the covid-19 virus have been discharged from hospital.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, 23,687 tests have been carried out.
*these figures do not include 1 person from the Grand Est region of France who died in Luxembourg, nor the 10 patients transferred to ICUs in Luxembourg from the same region.
Sunday 5 April, 11:05am
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Saturday 4 April:
- Belgium: 19,691 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 18,431 confirmed cases the previous day), including 1,447 deaths (up from a total of 1,283 deaths reported the previous day) and 3,751 recovered patients discharged from hospital (up from 3,247 reported the previous day)
- France: 68,605 confirmed cases (up from 64,338), including 7,560 deaths# (up from 6,507) and 15,438 recovered patients discharged from hospital (up from 14,008)
- Germany: 85,778 confirmed cases (up from 79,696), including 1,158 deaths (up from 1,017) and 26,400 recovered patients discharged from hospital (up from 23,800)
Globally there have been more than 1,204,200 confirmed infections, including more than 64,800 deaths due to the virus and more than 247,300 recovered patients discharged from hospital.
#France changed its reporting format. This figure now includes deaths at hospitals and deaths at nursing homes and care centres.
Sunday 5 April, 8:40am
The World Expo in Dubai will likely be postponed from 20 October 2020-10 April 2021 to 1 October 2021-31 March 2022, organisers said. The expo’s executive committee meets on 21 April to vote and two-thirds of participating countries must agree.
Saturday 4 April, 6:05pm
The latest government figures for Luxembourg show that a total 2,729 individuals have tested positive for covid-19 in Luxembourg (up from 2,612 as of 3 April around 5:45pm). The total number of deaths remains at 31*. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 22,793 tests have been carried out.
Saturday 4 April, 11:20am
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Friday 3 April:
- Belgium: 18,431 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 16,770 confirmed cases the previous day), including 1,283 deaths (up from a total of 1,143 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 64,338 confirmed cases (up from 59,105), including 5,091 deaths (up from 4,503)
- Germany: 79,696 confirmed cases (up from 73,522), including 1,017 deaths (up from 872)
Globally there have been more than 1,120,700 confirmed infections and more than 58,900 deaths due to the virus.
Saturday 4 April, 9am
The government opened applications for the emergency loans to small and medium-sized companies and the self-employed of up to €500,000, as announced last week. “This advance can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, including staffing costs and rent over the period from 15 March to 15 May 2020,” the economy ministry stated on 3 April. Applications can be completed online.
Saturday 4 April, 8:50am
The government introduced paid family leave to care for an elderly or disabled person during the shutdown. Many residential and day care centres have closed to combat the covid-19 pandemic, the family ministry said on 3 April. The measure is retroactive to 18 March and applies to private sector employees and the self-employed. The leave will end when the state of emergency terminates and care facilities reopen. Details and the application form are available in French and in German (but not in English at the time of writing).
Friday 3 April, 5:45pm
Health minister Paulette Lenert has said that one more person in Luxembourg has died from coronavirus. That brings the total of fatalities to 31. A further 121 were tested positive for infection, bringing the total number to 2,612. The average age of fatalities was 86, said Lenert.
232 people were hospitalized as of Friday morning, of which 33 were in intensive care--a further 10 patients from France were also in intensive care.
Friday 3 April, 11:40am
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Thursday 2 April:
- Belgium: 16,770 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 15,348 confirmed cases the previous day), including 1,143 deaths (up from a total of 1,011 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 59,105 confirmed cases (up from 56,989), including 4,503 deaths (up from 4,032)
- Germany: 73,522 confirmed cases (up from 67,366), including 872 deaths (up from 732)
Globally there have been more than 1,017,000 confirmed infections and more than 53,200 deaths due to the virus.
Friday 3 April, 11am
The 50,000 or so cross-border commuters living in Germany can now work from home without fear of tax complications after Luxembourg and Germany reached an agreement. Previously, they could work maximum 19 days per year before being taxed in their country of residence. The rules were relaxed in light of covid-19 social distancing precautions which encourage working from home. The relaxation was announced on 2 April and is applied retroactively from 11 March 2020. Germany was the third and final neighbouring country for Luxembourg to conclude such an agreement with.
Friday 3 April, 8:45am
Prime minister Xavier Bettel and health minister Paulette Lenert will hold a media briefing at 5:30pm following a cabinet meeting update on the latest corronavirus developments in Luxembourg.
Thursday 2 April, 5:40pm
The health ministry said a few moments ago that there were 2,487 confirmed covid-19 cases in Luxembourg (up from 2,319 as of 1 April at 5:45pm) and 30 deaths* (up from 29). Since the beginning of the outbreak, 20,092 tests have been carried out.
Thursday 2 April, 11:20am
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Wednesday 1 April:
- Belgium: 15,348 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 13,964 confirmed cases the previous day), including 1,011 deaths (up from a total of 828 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 56,989 confirmed cases (up from 52,128), including 4,032 deaths (up from 3,523)
- Germany: 67,366 confirmed cases (up from 61,913), including 732 deaths (up from 583)
Globally there have been more than 917,000 confirmed infections and more than 46,000 deaths due to the virus.
Wednesday 1 April, 5:45pm
The health ministry said a few moments ago that there were 2,319 confirmed covid-19 cases in Luxembourg (up from 2,178 as of 31 March at 4:30pm) and 29 deaths* (up from 23). Since the beginning of the outbreak, 18,690 tests have been carried out.
*One patient transferred from a French hospital who subsequently died is not included in this count, per the government’s reporting methodology.
Wednesday 1 April, 4:25pm
The economy ministry reminded residents and retailers that shoppers need to maintain a distance of at least 2m from other people. The ministry also recommended that shops limit the number of customers who can enter stores at a single time.
Wednesday 1 April, 4:15pm
The education ministry has just announced that it has extended until 4 May the period for which schools and childcare facilities will be closed--this follows a previous closure that had been scheduled to last until 19 April, the end of the Easter holidays. “In the coming weeks, every effort will continue to be made to enable students to continue their learning and to continue their education,” the ministry said in a statement. Education minister Claude Meisch (DP) will give a media briefing on Thursday 2 April at 2pm.
Wednesday 1 April, 2:05pm
The health ministry said its covid-19 telephone hotline, 8002-8080, now offered psychological support. The government said many people were suffering from anxiety or unease during the current home confinement period. “The telephone psychology support service is provided to anyone who feels they need it. It is operated by highly qualified personnel, who are prepared to guide people in distress, notably to a teleconsultation,” the ministry stated. Psychological support is available Monday to Sunday, from 7am to 11pm, in English, French, German, Luxembourgish and Portuguese.
Wednesday 1 April, 11:40am
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Tuesday 31 March:
- Belgium: 13,964 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 12,775 confirmed cases the previous day), including 828 deaths (up from a total of 705 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 52,128 confirmed cases (up from 44,550), including 3,523 deaths (up from 3,024)
- Germany: 61,913 confirmed cases (up from 57,298), including 583 deaths (up from 455)
Globally there have been more than 799,000 confirmed infections and more than 38,700 deaths due to the virus.
Wednesday 1 April, 10:55am
The government has received 16,000 applications for the short-time working scheme in the wake of the coronavirus, 100,7 public radio quotes Franz Fayot, the economy minister (LSAP), as saying on Tuesday. This could include duplicate requests submitted both electronically and on paper. On Monday, the economy ministry said applications would only be accepted electronically moving forward.
Tuesday 31 March, 4:30pm
The latest figures for Luxembourg show that 2,178 people have been tested positive for coronavirus (up from 1,988 at 3:10pm on 30 March) and 23 people have died (up 1). The deathtoll does not include the victim from the Grand Est who was hospitalised in Luxembourg. Of those who tested positive, 295 were non-residents. Since the beginning of the crisis, 17,511 tests have been carried out.
Tuesday 31 March, 2pm
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Monday 30 March:
- Belgium: 12,775 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 11,899 confirmed cases the previous day), including 705 deaths (up from a total of 513 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 44,550 confirmed cases (up from 40,174), including 3,024 deaths (up from 2,606)
- Germany: 57,298 confirmed cases (up from 52,547), including 455 deaths (up from 389)
Globally there have been more than 799,000 confirmed infections and more than 38,700 deaths due to the virus.
Tuesday 31 March, 8:20am
A doctor in the neighbouring French department of Moselle died due to covid-19 on Monday, per Paris Match and Le Quotidien. The CHR Metz-Thionville hospital group did not identify the physician, who is the sixth French medic to be killed by the coronavirus outbreak. “Just over 40 hospital staff” have tested positive for covid-19, the group’s chief said. Separately, she said hospitals in Metz were at absolute maximum capacity, per BFM TV and the Republicain Lorrain.
Monday 30 March, 3:50pm
Here are the latest figures from neighbouring countries, announced by government sources, as of Sunday 29 March:
- Belgium: 11,899 confirmed cases (up from a cumulative total of 10,836 confirmed cases the previous day), including 513 deaths (up from a total of 431 deaths reported the previous day)
- France: 40,174 confirmed cases (up from 37,575), including 2,606 deaths (up from 2,314)
- Germany: 52,547 confirmed cases (up from 48,582), including 389 deaths (up from 325)
Globally there have been more than 728,000 confirmed infections and more than 34,500 deaths due to the virus.
Monday 30 March, 3:45pm
Dr Alain Schmit, president of the AMMD association of doctors and dentists, said that the teleconsulting platform had been rapidly set up and admitted that it was experiencing some teething problems, but that these were being resolved. He also set out to assure anyone who fell ill or required treatment that was not connected to coronavirus that they should not be concerned about consulting a doctor.
Monday 30 March, 3:40pm
10 of the 22 fatalities (see 3:10pm) were residents of retirement homes, health minister Paulette Lenert said. She said that care home facilities have always been equipped to deal with residents who become infected with a virus, and that now they have even more specific instructions and training has been given, so there is no plan to evacuate infected residents once they are tested positive.
Monday 30 March, 3:10pm
The latest figures for Luxembourg show that 1.988 people have been tested positive for coronavirus (up from 1,950 from 5.30 pm on 29 March) and 22 people have died (up 1), Paulette Lenert said at a press briefing. 202 of those infected are in hospital, of which 31 are intensive care. But a total of 81 people have been discharged from hospital.
Monday 30 March, 1:45pm
Residents in certain communes can order green and blue recycling bags delivered to their homes free of charge via the Valorlux online shop starting today. Communes included are: Beckerich, Berdorf, Bissen, Bourscheid, Clervaux, Contern, Dalheim, Diekirch, Differdange, Dudelange, Ell, Esch-sur-Sure, Ettelbruck, Feulen, Flaxweiler, Frisange, Goesdorf, Hesperange, Hobscheid, Kayl, Koerich, Larochette, Lenningen, Lintgen, Lorentzweiler, Luxembourg, Manternach, Mertzig, Mondorf-les-Bains, Niederanven, Nommern, Parc Hosingen, Pétange, Preizerdaul, Putscheid, Redange, Sandweiler, Stadtbredimus, Steinsel, Vallée de l'Ernz, Vichten, Wahl, Waldbillig.
Monday 30 March, 10:15am
The roll-out of a new regional bus network (RGTR) schedule initially planned for 9 May, has been pushed back to September as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has just announced. The overall changes will be implemented in stages with all planned changes expected to be pushed back four months.