Flu Eases, Covid Ticks Up
Luxembourg’s latest public health data suggests a mixed picture as the country moves deeper into the winter respiratory season. According to the Health Directorate’s weekly surveillance covering 19 to 25 January 2026, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus cases are declining for a second consecutive week, while COVID-19 infections are once again on the rise.
Laboratory reports show that confirmed influenza cases fell from 872 to 740 during the period, representing a decrease of around fifteen percent. Despite this downward trend, health authorities caution that influenza activity remains high and continues to circulate widely. Almost all detected cases were linked to influenza A, which accounted for 99.9 percent of results, while influenza B remained marginal.
The Ministry of Health and Social Security has reiterated its vaccination message, stressing that it is not too late to be immunised. The recommendation remains particularly strong for people aged 65 and over and for those with underlying health conditions who face a higher risk of complications. Officials continue to describe vaccination as the most effective tool to prevent severe illness and reduce pressure on healthcare services during the peak winter months.
A similar decline has been recorded for respiratory syncytial virus. Confirmed RSV cases dropped from 145 to 125, a reduction of roughly fourteen percent compared to the previous week. Since October 2025, more than half of all RSV infections have affected children under the age of ten, reinforcing the virus’s reputation as a major seasonal threat to younger age groups. Pediatric services continue to monitor the situation closely, even as case numbers show signs of easing.
In contrast, COVID-19 infections are trending upward again. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test results increased from 65 to 88 over the same reporting period, marking a rise of around thirty five percent. While the overall numbers remain lower than during previous waves, health authorities are watching the increase carefully, particularly as social activity remains high during winter.
Wastewater monitoring offers a slightly more reassuring signal, with viral concentrations showing a modest decline. Experts note that wastewater data can lag behind or diverge from clinical testing trends, and both indicators are considered together when assessing the broader situation.
Sequencing data indicates that several variants are currently circulating. The XFG variant remains dominant, accounting for just under half of sequenced cases, followed by its sub-variant XFG.3 and the NB.1.8.1 variant. No evidence has yet emerged to suggest that these variants cause more severe illness, but surveillance remains ongoing.
Health authorities continue to encourage basic preventative measures to limit transmission of all respiratory viruses. Regular handwashing, proper cough etiquette, good ventilation, and staying home when ill are repeatedly highlighted as effective everyday actions. Avoiding close physical contact and crowded indoor spaces during peak infection periods can also reduce risk.
As winter progresses, officials emphasise that individual behaviour still plays a crucial role. Small, consistent precautions remain one of the most reliable ways to protect both personal health and the wider community.