Flu cases expected to rise after Spring Festival

Health officials are warning residents to brace for a potential surge in influenza cases in the coming weeks, as the region emerges from the Spring Festival holiday.

Chou Mei Fong, head of the Areia Preta Health Center, anticipates that the peak of influenza cases will extend into February.

Over the past week, emergency and health center visits in Macau averaged between 1,200 and 1,300 per day, with an adult-to-child ratio of 8:2, surpassing figures recorded during the Spring Festival, as cited in a TDM report.

Despite a slight decrease in visits leading up to the holiday, both Hospital Centre S. Januario and Kiang Wu Hospital reported fewer emergency cases resembling influenza compared to the pre-holiday period. The positivity rate for influenza viruses remains stable at under 10%.

However, with the conclusion of the Spring Festival and the return of large crowds, health officials predict an increase in influenza cases this week.

Chou urged residents to remain vigilant and prioritize personal health measures. She recommended that travelers conduct thorough research on local medical facilities before heading abroad, avoid congested areas, and maintain personal protective practices. VC