The seasonal flu virus is “getting more active,” a statement by the Health Bureau (SSM) warned on Friday.
According to the bureau, 152 flu cases were recorded in the first week of the year, a “significant increase” compared with the last week of 2017, when 89 cases were reported, and with the same period a year ago, when the number of reported cases stood at 43.
The statement pointed out that four of last week’s cases were considered serious since they involved pneumonia, affecting one male and three female patients aged between 23 and 83 who required hospitalisation. The statement underlined the fact that none of the hospitalised patients, whose clinical condition was stable, had received seasonal flu shots for the 2017-18 period.
According to the statement, the bureau has already drafted an influenza contingency plan, pointing out that the occupancy rate of the beds at the public Conde de S. Januario Hospital Centre beds has reached 90 percent.
