Government maintains pandemic alert at level V

The Government would consider closing kindergartens, primary and secondary schools should Macao raises its pandemic alert to Level VI. Macao maintained its pandemic alert at level V since there were no local transmissions of Influenza A (H1N1) virus. The Co-ordination Centre for Preparedness and Response to Influenza Pandemic announced this today, after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its influenza pandemic alert to Phase 6. Director of the Health Bureau, Dr Lei Chin Ion, said according to the evaluation of WHO, the severity of the current influenza pandemic was mild and many patients did not require hospitalisation or medication. He said it would be difficult to prevent Influenza A (H1N1) in Macao and the Government would make all the necessary preparations for mass infection. The Government would continue to purchase vaccine for seasonal flu, Influenza A (H1N1) and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Mr Sou Chio Fai, said the Government would consider closing all kindergartens, primary and secondary schools should there be locally contracted cases or if Macao raises its pandemic alert to Level VI. Summer activities and summer classes would also be halted then, he said. The Director of Social Welfare Bureau, Mr Ip Peng Kin, said all social services institutions subsidised by the Government had formulated plans to face the pandemic. The Government would maintain the services of childcare services centres, taking into consideration the needs of some families, he said.