Macao raises pandemic alert to top level

The Government today raised its pandemic alert to Level VI, its highest level, after a locally infected Influenza A (H1N1) case was confirmed. The patient, a 39-year-old Filipina, lived with Macao’s fourth confirmed case since arriving in Macao a month ago. She fell ill on Sunday and was identified by medical personnel tracking close contacts of the fourth confirmed case. She was sent to hospital, tested positive for the virus and later confirmed as Macao’s first locally infected case as she had no travel history since arriving. The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, who is also the Vice President of the Co-ordination Centre for Preparedness and Response to Influenza Pandemic, urged the public to work as one in dealing with the virus. The Director of the Health Bureau, Dr Lei Chin Ion, said it was expected that the virus would spread rapidly in the community and he urged the public to be cautious. In accordance with the advice of the World Health Organization, the health departments would place its focus on treating patients. Therefore, close contact persons of confirmed cases would no longer be sent to quarantine centres. Instead, they would be required to undergo medical observation at home. The Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Sou Chio Fai, said schools are not required to suspend classes as yet since the patient had no contact with schools or students. Regarding the summer activities organised by the Government for youngsters and students, the number of participants in each class had been capped at 30. From now on, the Health Bureau would hold a press conference daily to give the public the latest information, Dr Lei said. The Bureau also announced two more imported cases today, taking the total number of confirmed cases to eight. The Government had divided pandemic alert Level VI into four stages according to the number of people infected. They are Blue, Yellow, Orange and Red. Currently we were at Blue Level, the lowest of the four, which indicated no outbreaks, no fatal cases and no more than 20 patients were being treated at hospital at one time, Dr Lei said.