The Government will remain highly vigilant, in order to ensure there is no risk of spreading the novel coronavirus within the community.

The latest COVID-19 case confirmed was identified under a closed-loop system set up to manage risk relating to two commercial flights from Tokyo, Japan carrying Macao ID holders home from overseas, landed in Macao on 21 January.

Such an imported case identified under the closed-loop system with manageable risk illustrated the effectiveness of Macao’s epidemic control and prevent work. Under this circumstance, it would not pose any threat to the safety of the community.

Macao confirmed in the early morning today the new case of imported COVID-19 infection, taking to 47 the tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the public health alert, in 2020. However, there would be no need to initiate the mechanism to suspend movement of people between the mainland and Macao.

The Government’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre held a press conference this morning to give more details of the developments. 

The latest confirmed patient was one of the 109 Macao ID holders in aggregate that were brought home via either Air Macau flight NX861 or Air Macau flight NX867, from Tokyo. The flights touched down at Macau International Airport at respectively 7.51pm and 9.18pm on Thursday (21 January).

The 47th case involves a 43-year-old female Macao resident, who originally departed from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. On 20 January, she travelled via Singapore Airlines (SQ495) to Singapore. She then took, on 21 January, another Singapore Airlines flight (SQ638) to Tokyo for one of the connecting flights (NX867) to Macao.

From 22 November to 23 December, she had been in the United Kingdom. She travelled alone to Dubai on 24 December and stayed there until 19 January. Between 2am and 3am on 19 January, she received a COVID-19 test at a Dubai hospital, and had been issued a certificate to the effect she had tested negative at that time for COVID-19 infection.

The now-patient was tested twice on arrival at Macau International Airport, and confirmed to have COVID-19. She had not reported any symptoms related to COVID-19. She was immediately transported to Conde S. Januário Hospital for treatment.

Eight people were classified as having had close contact with the patient during her Air Macau flight. They were immediately sent to the Public Health Clinical Centre in Coloane for health monitoring. There, tests showed them as being negative for COVID-19 infection. The eight will receive additional tests. 

The other 100 passengers from the Air Macau flights – all of whom had already been confirmed as negative for COVID-19 infection during the testing phase conducted on arrival at Macau International Airport – were transported to Grand Coloane Resort, for a 21-day period of medical observation. During the period at the hotel, they would each receive three more nucleic acid tests.

The aggregate of 109 passengers carried on the Air Macau flights consisted of 55 males and 54 females. Five of the travellers were aged 65 or above. Ten were aged between 12 and 17. Two were aged two or below. The 109 returnees had been spread initially across an aggregate of 14 countries: the United Kingdom; Portugal; Japan; the Republic of Ireland; the Netherlands; the United States of America; Switzerland; Australia; the Republic of Korea; Indonesia; France; the United Arab Emirates; Spain; and Italy.

Air Macau had sold a total of 115 tickets for its two Tokyo flights. Six Macao ID holders had bought tickets but had not boarded either of the flights. Of those six, one had tested positive for COVID-19 infection in the United Kingdom and was denied permission to travel onward to Macao. The other five had chosen not to travel due to personal circumstances.

The 16 Air Macau personnel crewing the two flights – some of whom had been in prolonged contact with returnees during the trip back from Tokyo – were also sent to Grand Coloane Resort for 21 days of medical observation. Other personnel assisting the operation had also each received a nucleic acid test.

All those currently undergoing some form either of medical observation or treatment, including the 109 returnees and the 16 flight crew personnel, would be asked – at the end of the initial phase of the precautionary measures – to observe an additional period of health self-management.

This will include the need to complete successfully a nucleic acid test showing a negative result for COVID-19 infection. Only then, will the self-management period be deemed concluded. The health self-management protocol aimed to minimise the risk of spreading the virus within the community.

All those undergoing the period of health self-management would be able to attend work or school, but would need to avoid visiting crowded places.

The two aircraft and other Macao-based equipment and facilities used for the two flights from Tokyo were thoroughly disinfected.

All the steps taken or to be taken, in relation to those involved in the flights from Tokyo, were part of the Government’s closed-loop system for management of risk associated with the exercise.

Before the start of each Macao ID holder’s intended journey home from overseas, the Government had sent them – via online communication platforms – some epidemic-control advice, including the need to prepare – and wear for the entire journey – their own protective gear. Each returnee had been required to present a valid nucleic acid test certificate – issued within 72 hours of departure – proving they had tested ‘negative’ for infection.

Seating safety plans had been arranged for the flights from Tokyo, in order to minimise cross-infection risk. During the flights, passengers were urged to reduce wherever possible eating, drinking or using the bathroom, in a bid to minimise interaction between them and the cabin crew.