The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre holds a press conference.
The Government is using a newly-constructed building within the Islands District Medical Complex as a temporary centre for quarantine procedures, in order to meet the increasing need for medical facilities in view of local developments regarding COVID-19.
The newly-commissioned quarantine facilities – with 96 rooms and space for 192 beds – is being employed to house three types of people: those classified as having had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients; people in the post-recovery monitoring stage; and people considered at high risk of COVID-19 infection but not confirmed as having caught it.
A total of 26 people – individuals who had been classified as having close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients – was on Monday moved to the facilities within the Islands District Medical Complex, from the Public Health Clinical Centre in Coloane. This was so that the latter facility would have further resources for accommodating confirmed COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms.
The news was announced during the press conference on Monday (30 March) held by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre.
During the press conference, Government officials urged members of the public to maintain ‘social distancing’ rules, including keeping at least one metre from other people, in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus within the community.
In addition, people who have completed a 14-day period of medical observation should follow closely the guidelines from the Health Bureau regarding management of their personal health. They should monitor their body temperature at least twice a day and seek medical attention immediately should they develop symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Staff from the Health Bureau would call those individuals on a daily basis over an appropriate period of time, enquiring about the condition of their health subsequent to the medical-observation period.
People who have completed such a period under medical observation should wear a face mask even at home. They should, if possible, stay in a room dedicated for their use. They should also: avoid sharing meals with family members or others; pay close attention to personal hygiene; reduce going out and avoid attendance at gatherings; use appropriate personal-protection items if they must go out; and keep an appropriate distance from other people.
As of 2pm on Monday, the Macao authorities had dealt with a total of 3,549 people identified as suspected COVID-19 cases. Of those, 38 have been confirmed as having the infection. A total of 3,495 people had been given the all-clear, and test results were pending on 16 people. There was an aggregate of 124 people in Macao classified as having had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients. Of the 124 people, 92 have respectively completed a 14-day period of medical observation with no symptoms of infection.
As of Monday, a total of 563 samples had been sent to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis in relation to COVID-19. Ten people – individuals that had completed a 14-day period of medical observation at the Public Health Clinical Centre in Coloane – were discharged on Monday.
There were 202 people as of Sunday embarking on a 14-day period of medical observation in relation to COVD-19 risk. That took the tally in Macao of those so far subject to such evaluation to 3,359 individuals.
As of Monday, there were 2,904 people undergoing medical observation in Macao, spread across several locations. An aggregate of 203 people was undergoing self-isolation at home; 2,663 people were in designated hotels; and 38 confirmed COVID-19 patients with symptoms were being cared for at Conde S. Januário Hospital.