The Health Bureau (SSM) confirmed last night two serious COVID-19 cases and one serious flu case recently, involving a 70-year-old local woman, a 58-year-old local man, and a 51-year-old local man, all suffering from various chronic diseases.
According to the statement, the 70-year-old local woman came down with a fever and dyspnoea (shortness of breath) on Sunday, she later underwent a COVID-19 nucleic acid test and tested positive. Her chest X-ray showed that she was suffering from double pneumonia, but her family members had not developed similar symptoms, the statement said.
Another COVID-19 patient, the statement said, a 58-year-old local man came down with a cough, dyspnoea and faintness while his dyspnoea increased two days later. His family were confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus earlier, the statement said.
Neither of the two COVID-19 patients have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and both are receiving treatment at the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre and are on ventilators, the statement said.
As for the serious flu case, the 51-year-old local man sought treatment at the public hospital for cough and dyspnoea on Monday, the statement said, adding that he tested positive for the influenza A virus, and was put on a mechanical ventilator due to respiratory failure.
The statement said that the 51-year-old local man has been vaccinated for the current flu season and his family members had not developed similar symptoms.
In addition, 11 COVID-19 positive cases were detected yesterday in the Asilo de Betânia nursing home for senior citizens in Ilha Verde district, all of them are in stable condition without serious complications, the statement said, adding that some of the patients have had upper respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough since yesterday, and all tested positive in their rapid antigen test (RAT).
In order to prevent influenza or other viral respiratory diseases, the bureau urged residents to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza every year, as well as to follow a balanced diet and get enough sleep and exercise.
Residents should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, covering their mouths and noses properly while sneezing or coughing, coughing into a tissue, putting the tissue into covered a dustbin, and washing hands immediately.
The bureau also urged residents to avoid going to crowded places, and people who have flu-like symptoms or need to take care of a sick person and need to go to a hospital or medical centre should wear a facemask.
Image courtesy of Dr Mikael Häggström/Wikimedia Commons
