In response to the cold weather expected in the next few days, the Health Bureau (SSM) urged the public yesterday to prevent hypothermia, i.e., prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures, and to bundle up, senior citizens and patients with chronic diseases in particular.
An SSM statement quoted the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) as forecasting that under the impact of a strong monsoon, local temperatures would drop to about 10 degrees Celsius or below in the next few days.
The bureau also urged people and associations responsible for caring for the elderly and patients with chronic diseases to take appropriate care measures, such as ensuring that they are wearing more clothes with dry, light, comfortable, breathable and warm materials, keeping warm at home, eating food that is high in calories and easy to digest, such as hot milk, soup, congee and noodles, and doing appropriate exercises indoors or in sunny areas to protect their health from the cold weather.
The statement underlined that in order not to interfere with blood circulation and movement, the clothing should not be excessively bulky and tight. The statement added that if senior citizens have incontinence, they should have their wet diapers and trousers changed frequently.
Hot water bottles, electric gel heating pads and electric blankets should not be used by people that are heat intolerant, such as those suffering from diabetes and myelopathy (a disorder in which the tissue of the spinal cord is diseased or damaged), the statement added.
The bureau urged the public not to be deceived into believing that alcohol can keep the body warm, adding that although alcohol can dilate blood vessels that enables people to feel warm immediately after drinking, it will accelerate the loss of body heat afterwards.
The bureau also urged the public to pay close attention to weather changes, especially when the temperature drops sharply in a short period of time, and be alert to prevent hypothermia due to the cold.
The statement pointed out that maintaining the right amount of exercise can generate heat energy in the body, help maintain body temperature, keep joints flexible, and improve blood circulation.
The statement stressed that family members and relatives should care for and assist the elderly and encourage and remind them to take appropriate measures against the cold, while for those who live alone or are ill, their neighbours are asked to call or visit them regularly, so as to reduce the chance of accidents.
If residents find any person suffering from hypothermia, or experiencing symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slow heartbeat, confusion or impaired awareness, they should get the person to a hospital for treatment as quickly as possible, or call the emergency hotline 999 or the Fire Service Bureau (CB) on 2857 2222.
The statement underlined that callers should describe the patient’s current address and condition such as hypothermia, age, gender and symptoms such as being awake, confused or unconscious, when calling the police, so that the ambulance can arrive as soon as possible, while medical units can make appropriate preparations in advance.
Weather enquiries can be made by calling the SMG 24-hour hotline 1311, according to the statement.
At 12:15 a.m. today, the temperature in Macau stood at 10 degrees Celsius.
This image taken from the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau’s (SMG) website yesterday urges residents to bundle up when a Yellow cold weather alert is hoisted.
