Archives: Situation Reports

Situation Reports news and reviews

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 3rd August 2022 

From our colleague in the Azores 

Covid-19

In the seven days from Friday 22nd July until Thursday 28th July there were 510 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 2,095 tests performed. 594 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117. There are 562 active cases, 84 fewer than the previous week.

There are 20 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 29th of July with Covid, this includes 4 patients that are in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

117,766 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 46% of the population.

Published resolution that puts all islands on alert in the context of covid-19

Government Council Resolution No. 117/2022 of July 28, 2022, was published today in the Official Journal, which declares all the islands of the Azores in a situation of Alert.

Under the terms of this resolution, it remains mandatory to carry out a screening test for covid-19 when visiting users in health care establishments and therapeutic communities and social inclusion communities, as well as in temporary and emergency housing centres, residential structures for the elderly and other structures and responses dedicated to the elderly and people with disabilities.

The visit is subject to the presentation of a negative result of an RT-PCR test performed within the previous 72 hours, or a rapid antigen test validated by a healthcare professional performed within the previous 48 hours.

The results of the tests referred to in the previous number can only be presented in paper or digital format, excluding the SMS format from the proof. The presentation of a test with a negative result is waived when a recovery certificate or declaration of prophylactic isolation is presented, or when the patient is 12 years of age or younger.

Also, under the terms of the same resolution, the use of masks is defined as mandatory for accessing or staying in health establishments and services; residential or reception structures or home support services for vulnerable populations, the elderly or people with disabilities, as well as continuing care units, integrated into the Regional Network for Integrated Continuing Care.

Likewise, the mandatory use of a mask in the air transport of passengers remains, and in places where this is determined by the Regional Health Directorate. The mandatory use of masks is waived when, depending on the nature of the activities, their use is impracticable, and such waiver should be limited to what is strictly necessary, or when this is determined by the Regional Health Directorate.

The obligation to wear masks does not apply to people aged 10 years or less and can be waived upon presentation of a Medical Certificate of Multipurpose Disability or a medical declaration, in the case of people with cognitive, developmental and psychic disturbances. The medical declaration attesting that the person’s clinical condition is not consistent with the use of masks is also valid.

The text of the Resolution can be consulted in its entirety at:

https://jo.azores.gov.pt/api/public/anexo/-252967617?filename=Anexo.pdf

Dismantled drug trafficking organization in operation with PJ participation

The Judiciary Police (PJ) was part of a Europol operation that dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to international drug trafficking, announced the criminal police body, which, as part of this action, seized more than a ton of cocaine.

In addition to Portugal, police forces from Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain were also involved, with more than six tons of cocaine seized in global terms, with seizures in the Azores, Aruba, Ivory Coast and in Spain.

The investigation lasted several years and began with the seizure by the PJ of two sailboats in the Azores, in 2018 and 2019, which, in total, transported around 1,440 kilos of cocaine. In these seizures, seven foreign citizens were arrested, with the PJ clarifying that the national investigations into this case are concluded.

According to the released note, “Operation Florida” – as it was called by the PJ – managed to put an end to the activity of this criminal organization, which was mostly composed of Montenegrin citizens and used pleasure boats to introduce large quantities of drugs from South America.

“This operation, like others in which the Judiciary Police has participated, clearly demonstrates that only with recourse to international cooperation is it possible to effectively combat the phenomenon of drug trafficking, which constitutes a serious threat to most countries”, it can read. up in the communiqué.

According to Europol, which mediated the exchange of information between the different countries involved, during the investigation, 29 suspects were accused in different countries. A total of 37 searches were carried out and 12 people were arrested, in addition to the seizure of watches, bank cards, documents, ammunition, weapons, a vehicle, a speedboat and money.

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 3rd August 2022

Good morning, July has been a bad month as far as rural fires are concerned, the brunt of the fires being experienced in the north of the mainland as well as the centre, with fewer in the south. The correlation between these ignitions and the metrological situation is simple – during heatwaves we can expect more fires.

Each day we publish detailed information from the IPMA which clearly shows forecast metrological conditions. When the rural fire hazard was extreme as it was in the case of the lead up to the Gambales, Faro fire on 13th July it was clear from this and other indicators that a major fire would take place – and it did.

How many more fires there will be this summer will depend on the number and duration of heatwaves. These occur when the maximum remains five degrees above average for at least six consecutive days. Experts predict in August: temperatures above normal in the interior and slightly below average on the coast. The occurrence of a heat wave as extreme as the one in July seems, at least for now, unlikely, but we must be prepared both in terms of fire preparedness and the effects on health and adopt measures accordingly.

July was by far the busiest month for our volunteer team at Safe Communities since our coverage of Covid-19 last year and for that reason I would like to share with you some statistics showing our work. During July we posted on Facebook:

Full information and progress (entire mainland) of “fires of importance”: 89

Major fires on SCP website – 4

Weather warnings, alerts and information: 74

Fire danger warnings: 69

Fire prevention and preparedness information: 50

Other public safety advice:  42

Police news and crime prevention: 51

Other news: 51

Gambelas, Faro fire (3 posts):  reach 115,976

Largest single post reached: 88,773

New followers on Facebook: 1621

Our remit at Safe Communities Portugal remains the same: public awareness, prevention, and preparedness covering rural fires and other major disasters such as: flooding, earthquakes, cyclones and others.  We keep track of all fires, keeping people informed in detail through reliable sources when these become “fires of importance” (ANEPC), in other words more major events including those that have a clear risk to life and property. In this regards we liaise regularly with all the emergency services.  This would not be possible without a great team of volunteers.  I therefore thank our safety team: Fernanda Gonçalves, Susan Wright, Antonia Vignolo, Pedro Taboada, Daniel Fernandes and Mike Evans for all the voluntary work they do. Thank you everyone for sharing and following the information we provide – “forewarned is forearmed”.

Have a Safe Day

News:

GNR arrested suspect in the act of setting fire with a lighter in Vila Real

Vila Real, Aug 02, 2022 (Lusa) – The GNR arrested a 39-year-old man suspected of starting fires in a forest area, in Vila Real, using a lighter, the territorial command of the police force announced today.

After a forest fire alert on Monday, elements of the Forest Protection Team (EPF), from the Vila Real Environmental Protection Centre (NPA), moved “immediately” to the place where they detected the suspect igniting fires.

According to the GNR, in a statement, the suspect would be starting the fires with “recourse to a lighter”, in a forest area.

The Guard added that the fire had consumed about one hectare of land.

The suspect was detained by the GNR and the facts were sent to the Vila Real Judicial Court.

The Vila Real Territorial Command also said that this year it identified 42 suspects of forest fires, of which 11 were arrested in the act.

In 2021, 83 suspects of the same crime were identified, and eight were arrested in the act.

The GNR recalled that burnings and fires are the main causes of fires in Portugal, that burning, burning piles and fires is prohibited whenever there is a “very high” or “maximum” level of rural fire danger. ”, depending on authorization or prior communication in other periods.

To avoid accidents, the Guard asks that safety rules be followed and recalls that the SOS Ambiente e Território Line (808 200 520) is permanently available to report infractions or clarify doubts.

Wine production in Portugal is expected to fall by 9%

Number compared to the last harvest, with the Douro, Porto and Lisbon regions highlighted, according to the forecasts of the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV) released today.

“According to the forecasts of the IVV, resulting from the consultation made with the representative regional entities, wine production in Portugal is expected to fall by around 9% compared to the previous harvest (characterized by an abnormally high production) ,” he said in a statement .

However, estimates point to a volume of around 6.7 million hectoliters, 2% more than the average of the last five campaigns.

By region, Douro and Porto and Lisbon stand out with expected drops of 20% in terms of volume.

The regions of Minho (10%) and Terras de Cister (10%), in turn, should present the highest percentage increases.

The IVV also mentioned that, in general, the grapes present a “good phytosanitary state”, without diseases or pests.

However, the heat and the lack of water “could accentuate the water stress, so the weather conditions that occur until the harvest will be decisive in the quantity and quality of the harvest”, he pointed out.

Daily energy consumption increased by 7.2% in July and hit records in the summer

High temperatures led electricity consumption in Portugal to rise by 7.2% in July and to reach the highest value ever in summer on July 13

Electricity consumption in Portugal rose 7.2% in July compared to the same period last year, due to high temperatures, having reached, on the 13th, the highest value ever in summer, according to REN data.

Thus, according to information released by REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, “electricity consumption in Portugal increased by 7.2% in July, compared to the same period last year, driven by temperatures above normal values ​​that were felt” .

At the same time, “on the 13th, a Wednesday, there was even the highest daily consumption ever recorded in Portugal in the summer period, 163.5 GWh [gigawatts-hour], exceeding the previous maximum, recorded in 2010”, highlighted.

According to the same data, “with correction for the effects of temperature and the number of working days, there was a year-on-year monthly growth of 4.9%”, indicated REN.

According to the company, “in the first seven months of the year, consumption grew, compared to the same period of the previous year, 3.5%, or 3.3% with temperature correction and working days”.

In turn, “the hydroelectric regime remains dry, with a productivity index of 0.30 (historical average of 1)”, he indicated, but warning that this value has “little meaning because it is a period of the year in which the inflows are practically nil”.

“The wind regime was also below average, recording 0.88 (historical average of 1), while in photovoltaics it was more favourable with 1.08 (historical average of 1)”.

According to REN, “renewable production supplied 36% of consumption, non-renewable production 35%, while the remaining 29% corresponded to imported energy”.

 

 Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 3 August 2022

Good morning and we start this report with the news that the weather in the Algarve continues to be very warm and intense. Whilst the region is used to warm and sunny summers the intensity of the heat currently is something many people who have lived here for many years and those native to the Algarve have not seen for years. The Region also saw one of the largest fires for some time last week in the São Marcos da Serra area of Silves municipality. 574 firefighters with 201 vehicles and 6 air assets were eventually able to bring it under control but not before it caused the destruction of at least one second home and a haystack but did not cause any damage to first homes.

Now a look at some of the other news from the region in the past week. 

PSP detains man and seizes almost 1,500 doses of drugs 

The Portimão Division of the PSP detained a man and identified a woman on suspicion of drug trafficking and seized 1,459 doses of narcotics during a patrolling action, the Faro police command announced today.

The two suspects, aged 21 and 20, were intercepted after police officers “detected movements that indicated the imminence of a drug transaction, something confirmed after a few minutes of observation,” the PSP said in a statement.

During the operation, 1,243 doses of heroin, 201 of cocaine and 15 of hashish were seized, as well as various weighing and packaging material for narcotic products. 525 euros were also seized, money allegedly “from illicit activity”.

The 21-year-old detainee was heard in the first judicial interrogation, and the coercive measure of terms of identity and residence was applied to him.

Man identified who threatened neighbour with firearm in Alcoutim 

In a statement, the GNR stated that, on 30th July, it seized an illegal firearm in Alcoutim and identified the owner.

The same source reports that, following a complaint that reported threats between neighbours using a firearm, the military went to the scene, where they found that a 60-year-old man, after an argument, wielded a gun. long fire and threatened the victim, another 64-year-old man.

In the course of police investigations, it was possible to find the weapon hidden among bushes, on agricultural land, nearby. The weapon was seized, and the GNR found that it was not registered or manifested.

The 60-year-old man was identified and the facts sent to the Vila Real de Santo António Judicial Court, concludes the same source”.

Recreation of the atmosphere of the fish market whets the appetite for the Sardine Festival 

To mark the premiere of the Sardine Festival, which will take place in the riverside area of ​​Portimão between August 03 and 07, the municipality of Portimão promotes, from 09:00 on next Tuesday, August 02, the recreation of the traditional to the sardine canasta on the city pier.

The fish will later be made into a popular sardine, ending this day with a sunset with music from other times, by the Lucky Duckies.

On this occasion, the hustle and bustle of the old fish market will be evoked, with the mooring of the trawler “Arrifana” and the envoy “Moira” and the participation of fifty extras, who will play the role of fishermen, stevedores, buyers, salting women. and restless children, who gave life and color to the pier, broadcast online on the municipality’s Facebook page.

Some of the main activities that took place over time at the siege auction will be portrayed, from the arrival of the boats loaded with sardines, when the siren calling the buyers was heard, followed by the old “by mouth” auction. , which consisted of a sung litany of numbers in descending order and that the seller only interrupted when the buyer finished with the purchase order “Chui!”.

After the auction, the fish will be unloaded, a kind of choreography perfected by experience, in which the men would fly full baskets from the deck of the trawler to the worker who received them on the wall, immediately pouring the fish into boxes to be chilled. or salted, before heading to your destination, packed in the transport of the time, including bicycles, vans, and other vehicles.

In the course of all this activity, one or two sardines were diverted by the kids who sieved around, generating a lot of noise, while the company fish or a small teacup of sardines was sold here and there. Around lunchtime, the stoves started to smoke, roasting the sardines to feed many of these auctioneers.

The fresh sardines unloaded in this historical recreation will later be used in a popular sardine dish taking place at the festival grounds, between 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm, and for which interested parties must collect the respective tasting voucher at the venue, in order to free use of two sardines grilled on bread and a drink at the indicated establishment.

These are the activities chosen as the theme for another edition of the Sardine Festival, recently considered the best summer gastronomic event held in Europe by the well-known travel site Big 7 Travel.

Lagos hospital receives fake bomb threat 

The Terras do Infante Hospital Unit, in Lagos, received yesterday, July 31, a false threat of an explosive device, announced the Board of Directors of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA).

The bomb threat took place shortly before 21:00 and security protocols were activated.

According to the statement, hospital activity “proceeded with normality” and the Board of Directors thanked “the competent authorities, our employees and hospitalised patients for the calm and care taken in the necessary operations in these situations”.

Shared bicycle project announced at the Cidades e Vilas Forum 

The experience of Faro, which since June 1st has 75 bicycles (25 electric and 50 conventional), in the city and parish of Montenegro, was shared at the II Forum Cidades e Vilas – Sharing Experiences of the Systems, which took place on the 20th of July, in Lisbon.

“We were at this event, organised by the Portuguese Federation of Cycling Tourism and Bicycle Users (FPCUB), seeking to highlight the success and importance of this pilot project, the first to be implemented in an Algarve city”, explains Sophie Matias, councillor for the City Council. Municipality of Faro, who represented the municipality at the event.

“We made an investment of close to 200,000 euros (precisely 199,050 euros, plus VAT), which allows everyone who lives or visits our city to have a means of transport that is more environmentally friendly and provides physical well-being”, added the mayor and concluded: “We already had scooters and we are making considerable investments in creating clickable infrastructure, investing in road safety strategies, because we effectively want to be a capital of the future, which is concerned with lowering pollution levels. and maintain a relationship with ecosystems that brings progress and attractiveness”.

This was, in fact, one of the key points of the initiative, in which several municipalities and entities were present. The presentation of good practices was one of the main objectives, as well as the debate on topics such as intramodality applied to ticketing and the use of these means of transport; the sustainability of these systems the contribution they make to the sustainability of mobility in cities; maximising the possibilities of maintaining stations with an adequate level of supply and the business model of bicycle-sharing systems.

“Our experience, although it has a short period of duration, is already a success, with very significant levels of use and very positive feedback from users”, stressed Sophie Matias, reinforcing that “Faro has great potential to this level, and we will do everything in our power to continue to be a pioneer in the implementation of programs and initiatives related to smooth and sustainable mobility”.

‘Arrebita’ once again takes the best chefs in the country to the streets of Portimão

Arrebita – Local Gastronomy Festival is preparing to return to Portimão in what will be the 3rd edition of the gastronomic festival that has already become a summer classic in the South.

On the weekend of August 20th and 21st, more than 25 chefs from different parts of the country will occupy the main shopping streets of the historic centre of the city and serve delicious street food dishes, in an event with the support of Portimão City Council.

With free admission, Arrebita Portimão will have a strong cast of chefs, including established names and young cooks, prepared to surprise all visitors with new flavours and refreshing and unusual proposals, including savoury dishes and desserts with a single cost of six euros. This will be the case, for example, of the “starred” Louis Anjos (Al Sud, Lagos) and André Cruz (Feitoria, Lisbon), both at the helm of Michelin-starred spaces.

In a festival that celebrates the best that Portuguese gastronomy has to offer, Algarve cuisine naturally deserves a prominent place, with the presence of chefs Wilson Costa (Amendoeira Clubhouse, Alcantarilha), João Viegas (Atlântico, Vila Vita Parc Resort, Porches), João Marreiros (Loki, Portimão), Alípio Branco (Casa Velha, Quinta do Lago, Almancil), Nuno Martins (Numa, Portimão) and João Dias (À Mesa, Tavira) – in addition to the aforementioned Louis Anjos, who is back at Arrebita Portimão after a successful foray last year.

Another highlight of this festival of gastronomy on the move is the presence of international chefs who chose Portugal to make their cuisine known. This is the case of Shay Ola, the creative mind of Queimado, in Costa da Caparica, or Alessandra Borsato, the young sous chef of the Lisbon restaurant Senhor Uva.

 

 

Portugal Situation and Safety Report Wednesday 27th July 2022

 

Good morning – As you can see it has been an extremely busy week, and although past the heatwave we have still experienced several major fires.

Most of these have been in the north of the mainland, except for a major fire that broke out in bushland in Silves municipality close to the border with Beja district and close to the IC 1. As this fire spread eastwards it resulted in the closure of the A 2 as well. Now both reopened.

This was a most complicated fire in a hilly area, fanned by strong winds and with a very low relativity humidity. Ariel response was hampered by the presence of power lines in some places. Through the superb work of all firefighters and all civil protection agents involved the fire is now at a resolution stage. Let’s hope it is brought to a conclusion soon.

It was a wise decision to place the Algarve and Beja districts on Red internal readiness alert for Monday and Tuesday now reduced to Orange today.

Last night the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Patrícia Gaspar stated that from today, we will have some heat, some wind in the coastal districts, but it is a situation that generally gives us some tranquility” and that is why the situation of alert situation will not continue, she explained.

According to Patrícia Gaspar, “there will be no activation of any contingency or alert declaration. We are confident that the current scenario falls within the normal response capacity of the Civil Protection firefighting device,” she declared.

At the same conference the ANEPC placed Beja and Faro districts on Orange level international readiness alert and the ANEPC issued a Notification to the population of fire risk for the next 48 hours.

Alerts, warnings and notifications can be confusing – so let’s explain

A Situation of Alert like we had at some stages of Covid, is the lesser level of levels that can be issued under Civil Protection law, “Contingency” and “Calamity” being higher. This is only issued in extreme conditions, and in the case of fires and other disasters places special measures on both civil protection agents and the public.

The readiness alert is in 5 levels green to red and is the level of monitoring and operational readiness levels that the civil protection and agents such as GNR, Bombeiros need to be able to fulfil commensurate with the degree of fire risk. Purely internal, these do not involve the public. The notifications from the ANEPC are more regular for public information, based on expected weather conditions and typically we would expect around 30 – 40 a year. These can be for flooding, low temperatures, high temperatures and fire risk. These highlight the guidelines/rules/advice already in place for the public to follow

Let us hope there are less of all of these as the summer progresses.

What is most important is that everyone is prepared as we all should be. During fires it is also important to know what to do if a fire approaches your home and to monitor the progress of fires closely.

As an official Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation, we have members who are very experienced and knowledgeable of rural fires and disaster preparedness and operational management. Together with long established official contacts with the emergency services we provide regular detailed information in the event of major fires to help keep you safe.

We are very grateful to those who follow and share our Facebook posts and website.   Our volunteer team undertaking this particular aspect of our work comprises. Pedro Tabula (former Bombeiros Commander); Antonio Vignolo (disaster preparedness), Fernanda Goncalves and Mike Evans (Facebook communication), Susan Wright (Website) and myself and others we can call upon.

We are always pleased to hear from you if you are able to assist in any way.

With that please have a good day.

 

News:

Government to increase by 325 number of professional firefighters.

Lisbon, Jul 26, 2022 (Lusa) – The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) indicated today that the constitution of 65 new Permanent Intervention Teams (EIP) has been authorized for the voluntary fire brigades in the second half of the year, totalling 325 firefighters.

In a statement, the MAI states that 734 EIPs are currently authorized and 553 teams are operating that are a permanent professional response to civil protection risks in humanitarian firefighters associations.

According to the MAI, this authorization to sign the 65 protocols allows for the constitution of four first teams, 11 second teams, created in fire departments where an EIP already existed, 49 third teams and a fourth EIP.

The MAI states that, of the 65 new EIPs, 36 will be set up in low-density territories and states that the selection of these teams “was based on objective and verifiable criteria, established by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and presented to the Portuguese Fire Brigade League”.

The protocols, to be concluded between the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, municipal councils and humanitarian firefighters associations, aim to improve the efficiency of Civil Protection and the conditions of prevention and assistance in the face of accidents and disasters, according to the MAI. .

 

Rural fire update

Newsroom, July 27, 2022 (Lusa) – The fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon in a bush area in the parish of Covelas, municipality of Trofa (Porto), is dominated, a source from the Civil Protection told Lusa.

According to the District Command of Relief Operations (CDOS) of Porto, the fire was considered to have been subdued at 03:15.

At around 5:30 am, 167 operatives were at the scene, assisted by 54 vehicles, said the same source.

This morning, at 2:26 am, the fire that broke out on Tuesday in Bendada, in the municipality of Sabugal, in the district of Guarda, was also brought under control.

According to information available on the website of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Portugal currently has no active fires, four in the resolution phase and 17 in the completion phase, with 871 firefighters and 275 vehicles to support these operations.

The Government decided on Tuesday that it is not necessary to reactivate the alert situation to respond to forest fires, as weather forecasts point to a “normal summer situation”.

According to forecasts from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the next few days will be warm and windy, especially on the coast, but within what is usual during the summer.

The districts of Beja and Faro will change from red alert to orange, due to the risk of rural fires, and Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo and Aveiro will change to blue, with moderate risk

 

Some PSP Police stations at risk of closing in August due to lack of personnel

It’s a vacation period and, in addition to that, there are those who are on leave”, warns the president of the Union Association of Police Professionals

In August, the closing of police stations due to lack of personnel may worsen , warns the president of the Union Association of Police Professionals (ASPP), Paulo Santos, in statements to “Diário de Notícias” . During the weekend, the largest police station in Porto was closed.

“It’s a vacation period and, in addition, there are those who are on long leave and end up decompensating the service in police stations, warns Paulo Santos, adding that this is not a problem “only in Porto or Lisbon”: “ In the Azores, for example, for months there have been police stations that have had to close the service due to lack of personnel”.

In order to combat the shortage of personnel, the Minister of Internal Administration revealed, last Monday, that mobile police stations will be created in Lisbon and Porto. “This was a very particular solution. The problem, however, is one of base and not of structure. This will be a very short-term solution, but in the long term, it doesn’t make any sense”, says Paulo Santos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azores Situation Report 27th July 2022  

 

From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 15th July until Thursday 21st July there were 601 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 2,213 tests performed. 847 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117 There are 646 active cases, 246 fewer than the previous week.

There are 17 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 22nd of July with Covid, this includes 4 patients that are in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

117256 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 46% of the population.

Two men arrested for aggravated robbery in Ponta Delgada 

Two men were arrested in Ponta Delgada, for aggravated robbery, after allegedly threatening a person with a knife and using his ATM card for a transfer of 15,000 euros.

“According to the investigation, the suspects, after fraternizing with the victim in several establishments in Portas do Mar, followed the victim to the vicinity of the church of São Pedro”, pointing “a razor to his neck” to keep the wallet and “to appropriate, from the outset, about 400 euros and an ATM card”, describes, in a statement, the PSP’s Regional Command of the Azores.

The card was used “shortly later to make illegal bank withdrawals and a bank transfer of 15,000 euros”, adds the PSP.

“During the investigations carried out by the investigators of the PSP Permanent Service Brigade, it was possible to gather probative elements that indicate the suspects of having planned the illicit act on the 62-year-old victim, whom they had met only a few hours before the crime took place”, says that police.

The suspects, aged 24 and 33, were arrested “on suspicion of committing a crime of aggravated robbery”.

The PSP says that the investigations began “immediately after the complaint made by the victim of the crime, which pointed to two suspects” who, in the early hours of Wednesday, would have “allegedly pointed a blade to his neck, to appropriate a portfolio”.

Ponta Delgada’s White Party takes place on August 6th with 200 artists 

The 6th edition of the Ponta Delgada white party, the “PDL White Ocean”, will take place on August 6th, involving 200 artists who will perform on various stages throughout the centre of the Azorean city.

In a statement, the municipality of Ponta Delgada considered that a “city party”, which is “aimed at both the resident population” and visitors.

“This is one of the main events we have to offer and which places Ponta Delgada on the roadmap for major events,” said the mayor, social democrat Pedro Nascimento Cabral, quoted in the press release.

In organizing the event, which has “impact on commerce, restaurants, hotels and tourism”, “more than 500 people” will be involved.

“Reference in the middle of the North Atlantic, ‘PDL White Ocean’ has a diversified and 100% Azorean animation. There will be concerts of the most diverse musical styles on 20 stages dispersed through the various arteries of the heart of the city with 200 artists, acrobats and performances.

The municipality emphasizes that the “environmental concern” will be a “constant” during the white party, where reused cups will be used (each person can bring their own, although there is a “own party glass”).

The decoration of the event will “privilege recyclable and reusable materials” and the “scenic lighting will be of low consumption”.

“There will also be reinforcement of equipment for the disposal of waste and eco points and human resources for cleaning the city will be reinforced”, adds the municipality.

The PDL White Ocean, which encourages all participants to dress in white, is promoted by the Ponta Delgada Chamber and produced by the company Fábrica de Espetaculos.

 

 

 

Madeira Safety and Security Report Wednesday 27th July 2022

 

By Daniel Fernandes

The South Coast (Costa Sul) and the Mountain Regions (Regiões Montanhosas) of Madeira are currently on a yellow warning (aviso amarelo) due to hot weather. The yellow warning will be in place until 18h00 local time.

The following advice was issued to the population:

– It is forbidden to light a fire for leisure or for cooking

– It is forbidden to use fire equipment for lightning or for cooking

– It is forbidden to burn cut and piled waste and any types of remains

– It is forbidden to launch sky lanterns/Chinese lanterns/Flying paper lanterns or any type of fireworks

– It is forbidden to smoke or to light a fire in forest areas and on roads through them

– Immediately inform the authorities (112, Fire Service, Madeira Civil Protection Service) if you spot a fire.

https://www.procivmadeira.pt/pt/recomendacoes-a-populacao.html

Arrival of Monkeypox vaccine

Pedro Ramos (Madeira’s Regional Health Secretary) announced that the Region received 20 Monkeypox vaccine doses on Thursday. So far, there have been 3 cases of Monkepox in the Region.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/179674/Madeira_recebeu_quinta-feira_20_vacinas_contra_a_variola_dos_macacos_Ha_tres_casos_confirmados

Aim to eradicate Hepatitis C by 2030

Pedro Ramos (Madeira’s Regional Health Secretary) would like Hepatitis C to be eradicated in the Region by 2030. As such, he appealed for the population to take part in the screening for Hepatitis C. There are on average 100 new cars every year.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/179734/Pedro_Ramos_quer_acabar_com_a_hepatite_C_na_Madeira_ate_2030

  

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to scheduled work on the electricity supply network. These cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:

FUNCHAL

 July 27th – 09h00 to 11h30 (TODAY)

– Caminho do Palheiro

– Estrada Luso Brasileira (numbers 36, 38 and 114)

 QUINTA GRANDE

 July 27th – 09h00 to 12h00 (TODAY)

– Estrada Padre António Dinis Henriques

– Estrada Padre António Silvino de Andrade (partial)

Caminho da Ladeira

– Vereda do Serrado

– Vereda do Aviceiro

– Travessa do Aviceiro

 

FUNCHAL

 July 28th – 09h00 to 12h00

– Avenida da Madalena (numbers 60 to 76)

– Beco da Madalena (numbers 4 to 38)

SÃO VICENTE

July 28th – 09h00 to 11h00

– Lameiros

FUNCHAL

July 29th – 00h00 to 05h00

– Caminho do Pilar (numbers 5 and 11)

– Estrada da Liberdade (numbers 1 and 3)

 

July 29th – 09h00 to 12h00 & 14h00 to 16h00

– Caminho da Levada dos Tornos (numbers 23 to 46)

However, power could be restored during the time frame mentioned above. So, for safety purposes, it should be assumed that there will be power at any time during this period of time.

 

If necessary, customers can contact the free Customer Support Service number (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.

 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/23/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-70-2022/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/27/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-72-2022/

 

 

The Algarve Situation Report 27 July 2022

 

by Mike Evans

Good morning and we start this report with the good news that the big fire which started on Monday at 13.23 near Sao Marcos da Serra was finally extinguished after a long battle by up to 600 bombeiros and 204 land vehicles and at times up to 9 air support vehicles. Although there are reports that some houses were damaged it is good to hear that in the main it was brush land that was ignited. However, as a precaution the GNR were asked to evacuate  the inhabitants of several villages, namely Monte das Zorras, Alcarias, Novas, Corte Peral, Chaminé, Boião and Casas Velhas. The fire also led to the main road the IC1 and the A2 motorway being closed around the area for a time.

Carob thefts in the region double compared to 2021

 

The number of seizures of stolen carob in the Algarve has doubled compared to last year, with around eight tonnes of fruit having been seized in the region since January, according to GNR data .

The commercial value of the carob – an arroba (15 kilos) exceeds 40 euros, when four years ago it was 5 euros -, makes it the main target of thefts on agricultural properties in the region, with several seizures having already been recorded, despite the harvest usually taking place until September.

According to data from the GNR’s Faro territorial command , between January 1 and July 21, a total of 16 carob seizures were recorded in the Algarve – double compared to the same period in 2021 -, with five people being arrested and 39 identified. In the same period last year there were no arrests and only six people had been identified.

Also in that period, in 2021, the GNR had registered 20 reports of carob theft, a number that increased this year to 73.However, last year, around this time, the amount of carob seized (12 tonnes) exceeded the amount seized this year (eight).

According to the police, the increase in the number of complaints may be related “to the fact that the fruit ripened earlier, as well as to the existence of a greater awareness of the denunciation of this type of crime, also motivated by the increase in the price of product”.The most recent situation occurred last Friday and Saturday, when the GNR caught two people in the act and identified three others for theft of carob, in Silves, who had in their possession 340 kilos of stolen carob, in sacks.

The frequent thefts of carob, both from orchards and from warehouses, are making producers angry, and a demonstration was called for Friday, the 29th, in Loulé – where the largest extension of this rainfed crop is concentrated -, to demand the enactment of a law against their theft and trafficking.

Producers believe that the legislation proposed by a working group, which also included public entities, would give greater security to the sector, with the regulation of purchase and sale, through the obligation to register with the Institute for Financing of Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP). The GNR has promised to be “particularly attentive to this criminal phenomenon”, seeking to “dissuade and repress the theft of this fruit”, by intensifying patrols along farms and access routes to establishments selling carob or storekeepers.

The seed of the carob tree is used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or food – as an additive for puddings, baby food and ice cream stabilisers -, and also for the textile industry.

The carob pulp, which represents 90% of the fruit’s weight, is used for various sweets, such as cookies and cakes, liqueurs, syrup, bread and animal feed.

 Plane lands emergency in Faro due to suspected fire on board

 An Airbus A320 plane belonging to Easyjet had to make an emergency landing on Monday night  at Faro Airport, due to an alert in the cockpit due to a suspected fire in one of the engines. The engine was turned off and an emergency was declared from the aircraft. After landing, firefighters inspected the aircraft, which had no signs of fire,

The alert was given at 21.53, shortly after the plane had taken off for Glasgow , Scotland.

As reported by the District Relief Operations Command (CDOS) of Faro, a red alert was triggered – “total emergency with the airport’s emergency protocol having been activated. 34 vehicles and 80 operational vehicles were mobilised to the site.

The EasyJet plane landed safely and went to the hangar where technical checks were carried out. Having concluded that there was no reason to maintain the alert, the assets were demobilised and the alert was terminated at 22.17.

The 180  passengers were then redistributed to other flights.

PSD deputies demand Water Efficiency Plan to stop drought

 The PSD deputies elected by the Faro district met with the Association of Hotels and Tourist Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA) earlier this week, following the measures announced by the Government that provide for a rationing of water use in the region, which faces a drought situation. The deputies called on the government to make good their promise to put in place the regional water plan.

“Contrary to what the Government has been communicating, the deputies are now aware that there was no agreement with business people in the region, nor were concrete measures taken, such as the definition of minimum consumption”, guarantee the Social Democrat parliamentarians. . They assert that there was, indeed, a conversation between the Portuguese Environment Agency, the Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Algarve and AHETA in order to avoid excessive consumption at this time.

The position now taken by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action “demonstrates, once again, the inability of this Executive to put into practice the Regional Water Efficiency Plan for the Algarve, presented in 2020, but which remains to be implemented. In the last two years, measures should have been implemented, valued at more than 60 million euros, which could have avoided this emergency situation, by reducing water consumption in the most varied sectors”.

Olhao Youth arrested for Violent theft against elderly people

After 3 months of investigation, yesterday the GNR arrested a 20 year old man for thefts and violent robberies of elderly people in the Olhão area.

The suspect chose victims living in isolated areas near Olhão, in the Algarve region.

The individual was arrested and is indicted for seven robberies, using violence, against the elderly, which mainly involved the theft of gold items and money, but also included the theft of non-precious metals and carob beans.

The young man will be presented to the Judicial Court of Faro, for sentencing.

100,000 expected at Sardine Festival

 Sardines will once again be the star of the show at the Portimão sardine festival, taking place this year between 3 and 7 August.

The Sardine Festival takes place in the riverside area of​​ Portimão, where five restaurants will be set up, offering a serving of five sardines, potato, bread and an Algarve salad, for €9.50.

In addition to the five restaurants of the associative movement, the festival has the involvement of several restaurants in the city.

“Each restaurant commits to serving sardines during the five days of the event, but the price is set by each one,” noted the source. “We hope to exceed 100,000 visitors, the number reached in the 2019 edition, to taste this highlight of the city, in a year of recovery after the two-year break”, a source from the Câmara de Portimão, the event’s organiser, told Lusa.

The event also includes exhibitors of handicrafts and other products, from sweets to local products, set up along the space between the old auction house and the Portimão Municipal Museum.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 20th July 2022

 

By Mike Evans

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Algarve situation report. Obviously the major talking point in the past week has been the big fire at Gambelas, near Faro which then spread to the Quinta do Lago complex. The last time the region saw such a big fire was in 2021 when there was a similar size fire at Castro Marim. Thankfully we can report that there were no injuries to firefighters and civilians although a number of sheds in the grounds of properties in Quinta do Lago were destroyed. It was also reported by one of our own volunteers that some residences in the area were evacuated for reasons of safety and a number of roads around the complex were closed to all traffic. After the fire reignited on Friday it was finally brought under control and even now the area is being checked to make sure nothing can start again.

5 MUNICIPALITIES PLACED IN MAXIMUM DANGER CATEGORY BY IPMA

The Algarve municipalities of Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira are currently in maximum danger of fire, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).

In all, there are about 50 municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Portalegre and Faro that present the maximum danger of rural fire.

The IPMA also placed the Algarve municipalities of Castro Marim, Alcoutim, Silves, Monchique, Portimão, Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Aljezur at very high risk of rural fire, in addition to several municipalities of Vila Real, Viseu, Bragança, Guarda, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Lisbon and Beja and Faro.

With high danger are Vila Real de Santo António and Albufeira, while at moderate danger are Lagoa, Faro and Olhão.

The fire hazard, determined by the IPMA, has five levels, ranging from reduced to maximum and the calculations are obtained from the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and amount of precipitation in the last 24 hours.

2 BEACH INCIDENTS IN VALE DO LOBO AND  ALBUFEIRA COASTLINE

A 74-year-old woman died on Monday afternoon, the 18th, after feeling unwell in the water, and going into cardiac arrest, on Vale do Lobo beach, in the municipality of Loulé .

Following the alert received at 12:36, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Lisboa), informing that a person was in cardiac arrest on the beach of Vale do Lobo, elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Faro and of INEM were despatched to the location.

The victim, a 74-year-old woman, was pulled out of the water by lifeguards on duty on the beach who promptly provided assistance and started resuscitation manoeuvres for the victim, in collaboration with lifeguards who carry out surveillance of the beaches of Loulé. , until the arrival of INEM elements, who continued the resuscitation manoeuvres.

After several attempts at resuscitation, it was not possible to reverse the situation, and the death was declared on the spot by the INEM doctor. The Public Ministry was contacted and the body was transported by the Portuguese Red Cross to the Instituto de Medicina Legal in Faro.

In the second incident on 18 July, the maritime authorities rescued a woman who was unconscious at sea, off the beach of Barranco das Belharucas, in Albufeira. She was transported in serious condition to the hospital, announced the National Maritime Authority (AMN).

The 45-year-old victim “was understood to have become unconscious in the water” and was taken from the sea to the sand by bathers, receiving first aid from “nurses who were on site” and then being transported by the National Emergency Institute Doctor to hospital, the AMN said in a statement.

6 MEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF THEFT IN ALBUFEIRA

 The GNR detained six men suspected of qualified theft committed this Monday, in Albufeira, as part of an investigation that began in April, the police corporation announced this Tuesday.

The detainees are between 23 and 43 years old and were identified in the investigation carried out by the Loulé Criminal Investigation Nucleus (NIC) of the Faro Territorial Command of the GNR, which began after the occurrence of several thefts in vehicles used in the construction, added the GNR in a statement. .

“As part of an investigation that has been running since April, for several thefts of vehicles linked to civil construction, the Guard military launched several police steps to identify the perpetrators of the crimes, where it was possible to detect the suspects and the means used to carry out the crimes. crimes”, assured the Faro Territorial Command.

The same source stressed that the results of the investigation allowed investigators to substantiate six arrest warrants and seven search warrants, four in homes and three in attachments, which were executed on Monday.

Following the investigations carried out, “eight mobile phones, five televisions, three industrial vacuum cleaners, two vehicles, four car rims, an electric piano, a ‘hoverboard’, a child restraint system for motor vehicles were seized”, revealed the GNR. .

Among the material seized were also “about 2,700 kilos of carob, various tools and professional machinery”, as well as “textile articles and pieces of clothing” and “clothing and footwear used in theft”, he added.

40th INTERNATIONAL MOTORBIKE FESTIVAL GOES OFF WITHOUT ISSUES

 Despite the fire that meant that some of the areas originally designated for camping was not able to be used, over 35,000 bikers from all over Europe enjoyed a weekend of music and interaction. Sunday saw the procession through Faro of the bikers and despite the issues the organisers stressed that the event was a success.

CULATRA ISLAND TO HAVE THE FIRST 100% SUSTAINABLE FISHING BOAT

 The Secretary of State for Fisheries, Teresa Coelho, participates this Tuesday, July 19, in the 35th anniversary of the Residents’ Association of Culatra Island, when the first boat in the fishing sector powered by solar energy will be inaugurated. , as well as a photovoltaic park, already installed on site.

The action will have a special focus on the energy transition that has been underway in Culatra since the creation and implementation of the Action Plan for Sustainable Tourism on the island of Culatra, created in May this year by the University of Algarve and the Make it Better Association.

The objective has been to define strategies for the creation of new tourist typologies that combine environmental sustainability with social inclusion.

Sponsored within the scope of the “Culatra 2030 – Sustainable Energy Community” project and financed by the Mar2020 Operational Program, these projects aim to contribute to the decarbonisation of the Ria Formosa.

The ceremony will take place at the Fishing Port of Culatra Island.

ALGARVE WITH 4407 CASES AND 20 DEATHS BETWEEN 5 AND 15 JULY

 To end this report we finish on the latest situation regarding Covid 19 in the region.In the Algarve, there were 4407 infections by SARS-CoV-2 and 20 deaths between July 5th and 15th, the Directorate-General for Health ( DGS ) indicated this Friday .

Portugal recorded 48,906 infections with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, 119 deaths associated with covid-19 and a further decrease in hospitalizations.

According to the DGS weekly epidemiological bulletin, compared to the previous week, there were 16,279 fewer cases of infection, with a reduction of 10 deaths in the comparison between the two periods.

As for hospital occupancy in mainland Portugal due to covid-19, the DGS started to release data on hospitalizations for the Monday before the report was published on Fridays.

Based on this criterion, the bulletin indicates that, last Monday, 1,140 people were hospitalised, 73 less than on the same day of the previous week, with 57 patients in intensive care units, minus 15.

According to the DGS bulletin, the seven-day incidence was, on Monday, at 475 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, having registered a 25% decrease compared to the previous week, and the transmissibility index (Rt) of the coronavirus rose slightly from 0.88 to 0.89.

With this have a great week.

 

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 20th July

 

By daniel Fernandes

 

Third Monkeypox case in Madeira

On July 12th, the Regional Health Directorate (Direção Regional da Saúde) confirmed the third case of Monkepox infection in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The third patient is an adult male. He is being monitored by the Madeira Health Service. So far, all three Monkeypox cases are not linked to each other. All appropriate infection control measures have been implemented. An epidemiological investigation is under way. The first case of Monkeypox in the Region had been announced on June 28th, and the second on July 12th. So far, no other suspected cases of Monkeypox had been reported.

Individuals with rashes with blisters, along with a high temperature, a headache, backache, muscle aches, swollen glands, shivering (chills), exhaustion must abstain from close physical contact and seek medication attention.

Any suspected cases of Monkeypox infection must be reported to the following Madeira Health Service hotline: 800 24 24 20 (Linha SRS 24)

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/14/madeira-regista-terceiro-caso-de-infecao-por-monkeypox/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/monkeypox/

https://www.hospitaldaluz.pt/santamariafeira/en/health-dictionary/monkeypox

315 Ukrainian refugees have been provided with health care through the Regional Health System

So far, 315 Ukrainian refugees have been provided with healthcare through the Regional Health System (Sistema Regional de Saúde). This means support has been provided for healthcare expenses, for the provision of health care through the private sector and for the purchase of medicines in community pharmacies.

Valentyna Chan, the Madeira representative of Associação dos Ucranianos em Portugal (an association representing Ukrainians in Portugal

), said Ukrainian refugees in Madeira have received the level same support and care a Madeiran receives. Plenty of support has been provided both in the public and private sector, with the payment of expenses for check-ups, x-rays, electrocardiograms, MRI scans, etc.

As for the public sector, support has been provided for A&E, medical imaging, surgeries, dialysis, medical appointments, etc.

As for primary healthcare, support has been provided in the administration of vaccines, A&E and hospitalisations.

Valentyna Chan reported that the response of healthcare professionals has been good in all cases she has been aware of, or in the translation or support during an appointment.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/13/315-utentes-ucranianos-ja-usufruiram-de-cuidados-no-sistema-regional-de-saude/

 

EasyJet announced new routes and a stronger presence in Madeira during the Winter

On July 14th, easyJet started selling flights between Funchal and Milan-Malpensa, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lyon; and between Porto Santo and London-Gatwick. These 4 routes will take place twice a week.

The London Porto Santo-London (Gatwick) route will begin on November 2nd, the Funchal-Lyon route will begin on December 3rd; the Funchal-Milan Malpensa and Funchal-Paris Charles de Gaulle routes will begin on December 4th.

The route between Porto Santo and London-Gatwick is easyJet’s first international route from Porto Santo. On May, it started flights from Porto Santo to Lisbon and Porto.

These new routes have strengthened easyJet’s position as the 2nd largest airline to operate in Funchal. It has 9 routes (7 international and 5 domestic routes) to and from 5 countries (Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK), with 460,00 seats available. This is a 46% increase in seat capacity in comparison to the 2021 Winter.

More than 6 million passengers have been flown by easyJet to and from Funchal since it started flights to the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/14/easyjet-anuncia-novas-rotas-e-reforca-presenca-na-madeira-para-o-inverno/

RFA Argus docked in Funchal

RFA Argus, one of the RFA’s (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) ships docked in the Port of Funchal in the morning of July 15th. It stayed in Funchal for 2 days, before departing on July 17th.ma

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/15/navio-auxiliar-na-marinha-britanica-rfa-argus-faz-escala-no-funchal/

Water supply disruptions

The Municipality of Funchal informed there will be a water supply disruption at Rua Elias Garcia, on July 21st (tomorrow), from 09h00 to 12h00, as a result of scheduled work on the water supply chain at Travessa do Nogueira. The following streets will affected:

– Rua Elias Garcia

– Rua da Ponte Nova

– Travessa do Nogueira

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/07/19/interrupcao-do-abastecimento-de-agua-na-elias-garcia/

 

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 20th July 2022

 

Good morning – It did not require a crystal ball to determine that we would have major fires in the country during the last two weeks.

All the signs were there, all the data was there, all the conditions were there, but was everyone prepared? Were we “Fire Wise”?

Each day throughout the year Safe Communities Portugal monitors all the information that is available to us, including the fire risks and the Rural Fire Hazard (FWI), to determine the risk of a fire starting and if so its possible intensity. We can see this from the IPMA charts and is published on our Facebook page each day.

It was clear from this before the recent fires started, that the metrological conditions were becoming extreme. This  showed that not only was the risk of fires igniting very likely, but they could be greater in intensity, to a point that should a fire get hold, it could become a severe fire and difficult to contain. This could lead to fires being active over a period of several days and depending on the wind speed and direction, spreading over large areas – which happened.

“I was in no doubt, even without the words of the Minister of International Administration, that we were about to experience conditions similar to that in 2017, when there were the catastrophic fires, firstly in Pedrógão Grande and later in the centre of the mainland. In fact all the major fires in 2003, 2017, the Monchique fire of 2018, and Castro Marim in 2021, were when the rural fire hazard was at maximum. We know this as a fact, because Safe Communities was monitoring the fires closely at the time and reported on our Facebook the conditions beforehand, as well as situation reports of developments during the fires themselves”

98% of fires are human error so there is much we can do. Most important is that we take every action to avoid starting a fire in the first place, “we have to be extra careful” and avoid for instance using power tools on the garden, not smoking in areas where this could burn vegetation. Look around your garden for any debris such as glass bottles that could cause a fire. Do not park a vehicle in long grass. Monitor the fire risk daily, ensure that you are aware of actions to take should a fire approach you, and for those in high risk areas, have a plan including an emergency kit close by in case of evacuations, calling 112 immediately if you discover a fire, are some of the steps.

We live in a hot country and it will get hotter, with likely more fires with greater intensity. We all need to be FIREWISE, have greater awareness of the risks, greater level of preparedness and greater knowledge of what action to take in the event of a fire.

Sad news is that Portugal recorded and between July 7 and 18, 1,063 deaths, attributed to the extreme temperatures that have occurred on the mainland the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) announced today. With these high temperature keeping hydrated is vitally important as we have stressed in our posts regularly. We recommend to follow the advice from DGS.

With that please have a good day

News

Over 1000 deaths attributed to extreme temperatures

Lisbon, July 19, 2022 (Lusa) – Portugal recorded an excess of mortality between July 7 and 18, corresponding to 1,063 deaths, attributed to the extreme temperatures that have occurred on the continent in recent days, announced today the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) .

“Between the 7th and 18th of July 2022, inclusive, excess mortality was observed in Portugal (mainland and islands), corresponding to a total of 1,063 deaths”, the health authority advanced in a statement, noting that these values ​​are provisional and are being updated.

The DGS also recalled that since July 6, there have been very high air temperature, with a red warning of hot weather, the highest on the scale, having been issued for most districts in mainland Portugal.

“Extreme air temperatures, such as those seen in recent days (maximum and minimum), have a known potential impact on health, as a consequence of dehydration or decompensation of chronic diseases, among other factors”, warned the DGS. , who recalled that high air temperatures are generally associated with periods of higher mortality than expected for the time of year.

According to the DGS, the current data available on weather forecasts point to a drop in temperature, more accentuated at maximum temperature.

“The sentinel indicator of the predicted effect of high air temperatures on mortality – the ÍCARO Index calculated by the Ricardo Jorge Institute (INSA) – could reach a maximum value of 0.11 on July 21, 2022, in mainland Portugal, translating a non-significant effect on mortality”, advanced the DGS, which activated the operative group of its Contingency Plan on July 5, with regional and local responses also being activated.

 

First 17 days of July were the hottest of this century

The first 17 days of July were the hottest of this century with an average air temperature of 25.7 degrees centigrade, revealed the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA).

In a comparison with homologous periods, the IPMA concluded that the period from 1 to 17 July of this year was the warmest since 2000, followed by the years 2013, 2003, 2020, 2016 and 2010.

The IPMA highlights the 13th and 14th, when the 13th was the hottest of 2022 and the fifth hottest day of the last 23 years in mainland Portugal with an average maximum air temperature of 40 degrees centigrade.

In turn, July 14 was the second hottest day of 2022 and the seventh hottest since 2000 with an average maximum air temperature of 38.4 degrees centigrade.

Since 2000, the hottest days in mainland Portugal have been August 4, 2018, August 2, 2003, and August 3 and 5, 2018.

The IPMA also highlights that, between the 1st and 17th of July of this year, the highest value of the maximum air temperature, 47°C, occurred at the Pinhão station and constitutes a new extreme in mainland Portugal for the month of July.

According to the IPMA, during that period the previous highest values ​​of maximum air temperature were exceeded in 84 stations and in 28 stations the values ​​of maximum air temperature recorded are absolute extremes for those stations.

 

Traffic cut on Vasco da Gama Bridge at dawn on Friday

Road traffic on the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which connects Lisbon and Alcochete, in the district of Setúbal, will be completely closed to traffic at dawn on Friday, between 00:00 and 06:00, Lusoponte announced today.

According to information from the company that manages the bridge, the closure is due to the need for topographic checks, within the scope of the works currently taking place on the infrastructure.

As an alternative, Lusoponte suggests using the 25 de Abril Bridge, complying with the restrictions imposed on this crossing with regard to the transport of dangerous materials, which are only allowed between 02:00 and 05:00.

In April, the company announced the reduction of the width of the lanes until the beginning of November, due to the execution of works, although with the maintenance of the six circulation lanes.

The “changes in the road configuration” were considered necessary for the replacement of “four risers in the main zone”.

The works, then indicated the company, arose following an accident with a bus that completely burned on the bridge deck in June 2021, which “caused only material damage to the protection of four risers”.