Flu season not over yet, says health chief

The flu season in Hong Kong is not yet over and is expected to persist at least until next month, said Centre for Health Protection controller Edwin Tsui Lok-kin.

According to the latest data from the Centre for Health Protection, the positivity rate for influenza respiratory samples in Hong Kong last week was 7.14 percent, while the proportion of individuals admitted to public hospitals due to influenza was approximately 0.43 per 10,000 population.

Speaking on a radio program this morning, Tsui said although there has been no increase in these figures over the past two weeks, with the figures even showing signs of a decline, the overall activity level of influenza remains at a high level.

He said the CHP recorded 23 influenza outbreaks last week involving 117 individuals. 

Among these outbreaks, 13 occurred in schools, which is higher than the respective figures of 12 and 17 from the previous two weeks, he said, adding that the remaining outbreaks were reported at elderly and disabled care homes.