Macau’s birth rate is forecast to continue to decrease, according to Health Bureau (SSM) Deputy Director Kuok Cheong U, who said that if the number of newborns reaches 3,500 this year, “we can consider it a very optimistic outcome”.
According to Kuok, who made the remarks when speaking to the media on Wednesday, as of January 27 there had been 284 births in the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre and private Kiang Wu Hospital since the beginning of the year, a slight decrease of 17 newborns from 301 recorded in the same period last year.
The public hospital’s deputy director pointed out Macau’s year-on-year decline in the birth rate, with the number of newborns in 2023 standing at 3,700, which fell further to 3,600 last year.
Due to the impact of various factors such as the social environment and economic factors, Kuok said he expected Macau’s general birth rate to continue its decline this year, urging all sectors to address the situation.
Meanwhile, when asked about the influenza situation, Kuok said that the city’s flu positivity* was currently stable. However, he was quick to add that the influenza peak might continue for a certain period of time, with the daily average number of emergency attendances at the peninsula’s two main hospitals currently having reached more than 1,000, mainly for influenza A, followed by human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Among the emergency attendances, less than one percent sought treatment for COVID-19 infection.
According to Kuok’s forecast, the number of influenza patients may rise with the return of residents travelling outside Macau or due to changes in the weather.
*“Flu positivity” typically refers to the rate at which influenza viruses are detected in samples tested during a specific period. It is often expressed as a percentage, calculated by dividing the number of positive flu test results by the total number of tests conducted. – Source: Poe
This handout photo provided by the Government Information Bureau (GCS) on Wednesday shows Health Bureau (SSM) Deputy Director Kuok Cheong U (fourth from left) presenting a gift to the first baby born at the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre in the Year of the Snake.
