Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long reaffirmed yesterday that the daily number of new COVID-19 infections has been “further dropping” over recent days.
Dr Lo made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Ilha Verde Secondary School after attending the opening ceremony of the annual Student Health Ambassadors training programme organised by the Macau New Chinese Youth Association.
Macau’s current peak of COVID-19 infections, which started in early May, has gradually been easing over the past three weeks.
Macau recorded a total of just 203 COVID-19 infections in three days from Thursday to Saturday, according to the latest data released by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre.
According to the latest data, 81 COVID-19 infections were recorded on Thursday, when two new COVID-19 patients were admitted to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre for treatment.
According to the data, 79 COVID-19 infections were recorded on Friday, when one new COVID-19 patient was admitted to the public hospital for treatment, while 43 infections were reported on Saturday, when one new patient was admitted to the public hospital.
Consequently, a total of 205 new COVID-19 patients were admitted to treatment facilities between May 1 and July 1.
During the current COVID-19 peak which started in early May, Macau recorded the highest daily number of new COVID-19 infections of 957 on May 22.
In April, there were only two days when Macau had new COVID-19 patients admitted to treatment facilities – two on April 25 and three on April 27.
In May, in contrast, there were only three days when no new COVID-19 patients were hospitalised, namely May 20, 22 and 28.
Last month, there were only two days when no new COVID-19 patients were hospitalised, namely June 3 and 17.
40 pct of recent COVID-19 infectees catch virus for 2nd time
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dr Lo also said that an average of around 800 people have sought treatment at the emergency department of the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre every day over recent days, similar to the daily average level recorded before the current COVID-19 peak began in early May, the health chief said.
Moreover, Dr Lo also underlined that in recent days, many of the COVID-19 infectees have still been those with a first-time infection.
According to Dr Lo, around 50 to 60 percent of the COVID-19 infectees over recent days have been infected for the first time, while about 40 percent of them have caught the novel coronavirus for the second time, and a small number of them have been infected even for the third time.
In addition, Dr Lo also pointed out that Omicron XBB is still the currently prevalent subvariant in the world, and also in Macau, because of which, the health chief said, he did not expect the current summer holiday period, when more residents could be expected to travel to outside Macau, to worsen Macau’s COVID-19 situation.
The health chief again urged those who have come down with respiratory symptoms to wear a facemask.
Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long talks to reporters at Ilha Verde Secondary School yesterday.
– Photo courtesy of TDM
