Macau's current COVID-19 outbreak, which began on June 18, has risen by 71 cases to 1,374, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has announced this morning.
It was the third day in a row that the day-on-day increase rate dropped, indicating that the government's strong action against the current Omicron outbreak is working.
According to a statement by the centre, the 71 cases were diagnosed between 00.00 and 23:59 yesterday.
Macau's tally of confirmed and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases accumulated since January 2020 has reached 566 confirmed and 1,053 asymptomatic cases respectively, according to the website of the Health Bureau (SSM) as of 2:00 p.m. today. A total of 94 of the confirmed cases and 240 of the asymptomatic cases have been cured, the bureau said.
Two COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Macau since the start of the pandemic. The female victims, aged 100 and 94 respectively, died on Sunday. Both had lived in the same nursing home.
Macau launched three more citywide mandatory nucleic acid tests (NATs) on Monday. The tests will be conducted until Saturday 6 p.m. Each person in Macau aged 3 or over must undergo the tests every other day this week. People must also self-test once a day. The government announced yesterday the launch of four more nucleic acid test rounds, starting tomorrow and ending next Sunday (July 17).
The government has been distributing 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. It has also been handing out free KN95 masks at testing stations.
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.
All entertainment and recreation venues other than casinos remain closed.
The government has declared a "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.
The government has urged people to always wear a KN95 mask when going out or at their workplace. Health workers have been distributing free KN95 masks to testees.
