The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health reported that influenza activity in Hong Kong remains at a high level, with the flu season expected to last at least until March.
According to the latest CHP data, the positive rate for respiratory samples tested for influenza was 7.14% last week. The hospitalization rate in public hospitals due to influenza stood at approximately 0.43 per 10,000 people.
CHP Director Dr. Edwin Tsui noted that while the figures have shown signs of stabilizing or even slight decline over the past two weeks, the overall flu activity remains high. He stressed that the flu season is far from over.
Last week, the CHP recorded 23 influenza outbreak cases involving 117 people. Of these, 13 outbreaks occurred in schools, an increase from 12 and 17 cases in the previous two weeks, respectively. The remaining cases were reported in elderly care homes or facilities for people with disabilities. Dr. Tsui warned that even small triggers could lead to large-scale flu outbreaks in high-risk settings.
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