The Government has concluded – after careful assessment – that there is currently no need for a city-wide suspension of classes at local schools and kindergartens as a route to controlling seasonal influenza (flu).

The Government will nonetheless continue to monitor closely the situation, and will update disease prevention and control planning measures as and when the situation requires it.

The Health Bureau said on Thursday that it had noted a peak in reported flu cases in Macao in the winter season occurred slightly earlier this year than had been recorded in previous years, but the situation regarding outbreaks of the illness was relatively stable. Flu reported in schools and kindergartens had declined to between one and three cases daily, compared to a peak of five cases per day.

In order to shorten the waiting time for public medical services, the Health Bureau has announced an extension of working hours in all health centres, including at a provisional facility at Seac Pai Van. During this weekend (26 and 27 January), public health centres will be open from 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Government urges members of the public to maintain strict standards of personal hygiene. If flu-like symptoms develop, people should seek medical treatment immediately, then stay at home and have adequate rest.

In Macao, there was a total of 46 flu-related cases reported between the month of September 2018 and Thursday this week (24 January). One of them involved an 86-year-old man who subsequently died. A second death, that of a 69-year-old man with a history of unconnected but chronic disease, was still being analysed to establish the cause.

As of Thursday, 14 of those infected with flu were still hospitalised. Of the 46 reported flu patients, more than 80 percent had not been vaccinated against seasonal flu.

Macao has an average vaccination rate of 20 percent among its population. Approximately 133,000 people have received a jab in the 2018-2019 flu season.