Jabs urged amid spike in Covid-19 and flu in Macao

The local government is urging residents to jab and step up preventive measures against respiratory diseases amid a spike in cases of Covid-19 and flu in Macao.

On the sideline of a youth and student health ambassador event yesterday, Health Bureau chief Lo Iek Long said the number of positive cases of Covid-19 and flu in Macao, among people receiving medical treatment for fever and respiratory symptoms, had recently reached a relatively high figure of 25 percent.

The newly cited figures mark a substantial increase in comparison to numbers shared by the Health Bureau on 25 June. At the time, the department noted that the number of positive Covid-19 cases in Macao had reached 17 percent in the week of 8 to 14 June, and 15.7 percent in the week of 15 to 21 June, exceeding the 14.5 percent threshold. 

Similarly, the positive rate for influenza was on the cusp of reaching its threshold of 15 percent.

Speaking to local media, Lo said the summer period also saw a flu spike, while Covid-19 had registered one or two periods of high prevalence over the past year or two. 

[See more: Why do people in Macao live longer than almost anywhere on Earth?]

He urged those in high-risk groups, including seniors, children and physically weak individuals, to get vaccinated as soon as possible, in order to strengthen their bodily defences against Covid-19 and flu in Macao. Lo mentioned that it was still possible to receive jabs against Covid-19, even though it was currently not a vaccination period for infectious diseases in the SAR. 

“If you find yourself with a fever or respiratory symptoms, you should ideally wear a face mask when in a public area to avoid transmission to the people around you,” Lo said. “You should also rest more and seek medical attention immediately.” 

Covid-19 and flu in Macao not the only threat

As for residents engaging in outbound travel this summer, the official said they should pay attention to their personal and environmental hygiene and get vaccinated before their trip. 

At the same time, he urged those visiting Southeast Asia and other locations where dengue fever and chikungunya virus are present all-year around to take protective measures against mosquitoes. 

Neighbouring Hong Kong has also warned of a rise in flu activity, announcing the start of its flu season on 2 July. Local authorities revealed that specimen testing for influenza infections surpassed the baseline figure of 4.49 percent, hitting 6.69 percent for the week of 21 to 27 June. 

At a press conference last Thursday, Albert Au, an infectious disease expert with the Hong Kong government, told reporters that it was difficult to project the length of the season. 

“In the past, summer flu seasons usually lasted for eight to 12 weeks, so we expect influenza activity to still remain at a high level in August and September,” he said.