All those visiting care homes for senior citizens, rehabilitation care homes, or drug rehabilitation homes are required to wear a N95, KN95 or FFP2 respirator mask from today, in the wake of the fact that COVID-19 infections in the city have been on the rise over recent days, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) announced in a statement yesterday.
With the aim of ensuring the health of those living in the three kinds of care homes, the Social Welfare Bureau has decided to require the care homes to implement a raft of special COVID-19 measures, which take effect today, after consulting the Health Bureau (SSM), the statement said.
The statement said that from today all those who visit those living in the care homes are required to wear a N95, KN95 or FFP2 respirator mask during the entire duration of their stay there.
During their stay in the care homes, the statement said, the visitors are not allowed to engage in any activities that require them to remove their respirator masks, such as for eating and drinking.
According to the statement, from today staff members of the care homes are required to wear a N95, KN95 or FFP2 mask while working there, particularly when they are in contact with the service users.
The statement said that the staff members are only allowed to remove their masks when they are eating and drinking or in other situations where it is necessary to remove their mask.
According to the statement, from today those who have come down with symptoms such as a fever, fatigue, muscle pain, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, or cough are barred from visiting the care homes. In addition, those who have self-tested positive for COVID-19 in a rapid antigen test (RAT) are also barred from visiting the care homes.
Moreover, the statement said, those living or working in the care homes who have come down with any of the symptoms should undergo a daily COVID-19 rapid antigen test for three consecutive days.
The statement said that if any of the service users or staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, the respective care homes are required to implement proper prevention and control measures with the aim of lowering the risk of transmissions of the novel coronavirus.
Care homes that are being affected by COVID-19 infections should report the situation to the Social Welfare Bureau as soon as possible, the statement said.
702 COVID-19 infections recorded on Tuesday
Meanwhile, Macau recorded 702 COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, 255 less than the 957 infections reported on Monday, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, four of the 702 COVID-19 carriers were admitted to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre for treatment.
Consequently, a total of 104 new COVID-19 patients were admitted to treatment facilities between May 1 and May 23.
According to the Health Bureau’s (SSM) COVID-19 website, which was updated yesterday, Macau’s official cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 3,624, of which 3,490 had meanwhile been cured.
The government decided to announce again the daily number of new COVID-19 infections in the city from last week, in the wake of the fact that COVID-19 infections have been on the rise since early this month.
Macau also recorded 702 COVID-19 infections on Wednesday last week.
From Thursday last week to Monday, according to previous announcements by the centre, the new daily numbers of COVID-19 infections were 658, 551, 270, 336, and 957 respectively.
The Macau government has warned that the city is currently being affected by a new peak of COVID-19 infections.
Macau has not recorded any COVID-19 fatalities for 110 days in a row, from February 3 to May 23. Consequently, Macau’s official COVID-19 death toll has remained unchanged at 121.
This photo downloaded from Caritas Macau’s website yesterday shows the Seac Pai Van Health and Social Services Building, where a care home for senior citizens run by the Catholic social service association is located on the seventh, eighth and ninth floors.
