The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Ao Ieong U, speaks at a ceremony to mark Macao joining the China International Medical Emergency Team effort to support Algeria in its fight against COVID-19.
Macao is today sending a five-strong emergency medical team made up of local professionals to take part in China’s national effort to assist the country of Algeria in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mission – organised by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Health Commission – aims to support the community and medical institutions in Algeria to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak. It also aims to share knowledge on China’s experience in disease control and prevention.
The China International Medical Emergency Team (Macao) is one of five teams organised by China. Macao’s team is the 25th such team to be assembled in the world and to be recognised by the World Health Organization as having the capability to support emergencies and rescue missions at an international level.
Macao’s five medical professionals – two doctors, a nurse, an epidemiologist and an expert in humanitarian aid – will be working alongside a Chinese team from Chongqing in helping Algeria. That country has one of the highest incidences of recorded COVID-19 infection cases in Africa.
While in Algeria, Macao’s medical emergency team will: share with local professionals its experience in curbing COVID-19; engage in academic exchanges with medical experts there; guide Algerian public hospitals in methods to stop COVID-19 from spreading; conduct investigations and research in certain places in that country; provide training on COVID-19 control and prevention to public services there; and carry out educational sessions for local citizens.
As of Tuesday (12 May), Macao had not recorded any new COVID-19 cases for 34 consecutive days.
There has been an aggregate of 45 confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in Macao. A total of 42 patients has already recovered from the disease after receiving treatment in Macao. The three patients remaining hospitalised have each been described as in a stable condition.
As of Tuesday, there were 11 people in Macao undergoing 14 days of post-recovery monitoring at the Public Health Clinical Centre in Coloane.
Also as of Tuesday, there was an aggregate of 217 people undergoing relevant medical observation in Macao, distributed among several facilities. Of the tally, 203 were in hotels designated for that purpose; one was at a Health Bureau facility; and 13 were staying aboard fishing boats that had returned to Macao amid a declared moratorium on commercial fishing.
