Macau's current COVID-19 outbreak, which began on June 18, has risen by 68 cases to 852, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced this morning.
According to a statement by the centre, the 68 cases were confirmed between 00.00 and 23:59 yesterday.
Macau's tally of confirmed and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases since January 2020 stands at 389 confirmed and 695 asymptomatic cases respectively, according to this afternoon's website of the Health Bureau (SSM). A total of 83 of the confirmed cases and 202 of the asymptomatic cases have been cured, the bureau said.
Two COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Macau. The female victims, aged 100 and 94 respectively, died yesterday. Both had lived in the same nursing home run by the Obra das Maes charity in the Inner Harbour area's Praia do Manduco neighbourhood.
Macau launched three more citywide mandatory nucleic acid tests (NATs) this morning. The tests will be conducted between today and Saturday. Each person in Macau aged over 3 must undergo the tests every other day this week.
The government has distributed free rapid antigen test (RAT) kits (self-tests) among the population, the results of which are to be sent to an app of the Health Bureau (SSM) for verification.
All security, cleaning and building management staff were tested for COVID-19 yesterday.
Macau reported its first novel coronavirus case on January 22, 2020.
The Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) has been closely coordinating its anti-COVID-19 measures with the National Health Commission (NHC) in Beijing. Macau follows the mainland's dynamic zero-COVID policy that is focused on preventing fatalities and serious cases.
A team of 650 health workers from the mainland is assisting the local authorities in battling the current outbreak.
While restaurants have been barred from dine-in services since the outbreak, they are allowed to sell takeaways. Many restaurants have reported brisk takeaway sales.
The government has extended its "state of immediate prevention". The state enables the government to impose a mandatory COVID-19 prevention and control measures and restrictions during the current outbreak.
Meanwhile, Macau's banks reopened today. However, their opening hours have been shortened, temporarily only operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They had been closed for a fortnight. Long queues have formed outside bank branches since this morning.
