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The Overseas Situation Report Tuesday 11 January 2022

by Mike Evans

“Comment is free but facts are sacred”

– C.P. Scott

For this report we are looking at the latest information released by the World Health Organisation which details the state of the virus across the world and is a factual account of how the world is coping, or not, with the pandemic. As with most reports there is usually a lag with the current data and this report shows the situation up to the 2nd of January 2022.

During the week 27 December 2021 to 2 January 2022, following a gradual increase since October, the global number of new cases increased sharply by 71% as compared to the previous week, while the number of new deaths decreased by 10%. This corresponds to just under 9.5 million new cases and over 41 000 new deaths reported during the last week. As of 2 January, a total of nearly 289 million cases and just over 5.4 million deaths have been reported globally.

All regions reported an increase in the incidence of weekly cases, with the Region of the Americas reporting the largest increase (100%), followed by the South-East Asia Region (78%) and the European Region (65%). The African Region reported a weekly increase in the number of new deaths (22%), while all the other regions reported a decrease as compared to the previous week.

The European Region continued to report the highest incidence of weekly cases (577.7 new cases per 100 000 population), followed by the Region of the Americas (319.0 new cases per 100 000 population). Both regions also reported the highest weekly incidence in deaths of 2.4 and 1.1 per 100 000 population, respectively, while all other regions reported <1 new death per 100 000. The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the United States of America (2 556 690 new cases; 92% increase), the United Kingdom (1 104 316 new cases; 51% increase), France (1 093 162 new cases; 117% increase); Spain (649 832 new cases; 60% increase) and Italy (644 508 new cases; 150% increase).

The African Region reported over 294,000 new cases, with a similar increase in incidence as the previous week (7%). Increases in case incidence of over 50% as compared to the previous week were observed in over half of countries (28 out of 49; 57%) in the Region. The highest numbers of new cases were reported from South Africa (60 142 new cases; 101.4 new cases per 100 000 population; a 48% decrease), Ethiopia (28 590 new cases; 24.9 new cases per 100 000 population; a 43% increase) and Mozambique (26 860 new cases; 85.9 new cases per 100 000; a 298% increase). The Region reported over 1100 new weekly deaths, a 22% increase as compared to the number reported during the previous week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from South Africa (425 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000 population; similar to the previous week), Zimbabwe (132 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 28% increase) and Algeria (55 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; an 12% increase).

The Region of the Americas reported over 3.2 million new cases, an increase of 100%, as compared to the previous week. The trends are largely driven by the incidence of cases in the United States of America and over 70% of the countries (39 of 56 countries) reported increases of over 50%. The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the United States of America (2 556 690 new cases; 772.4 new cases per 100 000; a 92% increase), Argentina (229 192; 507.1 new cases per 100 000; a 290% increase) and Canada (180 587 new cases; 478.5 new cases per 100 000; a 90% increase). Over 10 000 new deaths were reported, a 18% decrease as compared to the number reported during the previous week. The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from the United States of America (8004 new deaths; 2.4 new deaths per 100 000; a 22% decrease), Brazil (664 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 16% decrease), and Mexico (646 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 31% increase)

After reporting a relatively stable number of weekly cases over the past two months, countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported a 40% increase in the number of new weekly cases, with over 107 000 cases reported. Half of the countries (11/22) reported increases in cases of over 50%, with the highest increases reported from Morocco (9833 vs 2959 new cases, a 232% increase); Kuwait (2812 vs 888 new cases, a 217% increase) and Bahrain (3159 vs 1108 new cases, 185% increase). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from Lebanon (20 029 new cases; 293.4 new cases per 100 000; a 70% increase), the United Arab Emirates (14 963 new cases; 151.3 new cases per 100 000; a 164% increase) and Jordan (12 856 new cases; 126.0 new cases per 100 000; a 28% decrease). The weekly incidence of deaths in the Region decreased by 7%, while the highest numbers of new deaths were reported from the Islamic Republic of Iran (291 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; an 8% decrease), Jordan (240 new deaths; 2.4 new deaths per 100 000; a 5% decrease) and Egypt (197 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 23% decrease).

The European Region reported just under 5.4 million new cases, a 65% increase as compared to the previous week. The weekly incidence of deaths decreased by 6%, as compared to the previous week, with over 22 000 new deaths reported. Weekly increases in cases of over 50% were reported by 43% (26/61) of countries in the Region, with the highest increases reported from Montenegro (9093 vs 1299 new cases, a 353% increase), Greece (170 029 vs 39 594 new cases, a 329% increase) and Cyprus (19 311 vs 5135 new cases, a 276% increase). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the United Kingdom (1 104 316 new cases; 1626.7 new cases per 100 000; a 51% increase), France (1 093 162 new cases; 1680.8 new cases per 100 000; a 117% increase) and Spain (649 832 new cases; 1372.9 new cases per 100 000; a 60% increase). The highest numbers of new deaths continue to be reported from the Russian Federation (6300 new deaths; 4.3 new deaths per 100 000; a 10% decrease), Poland (3265 new deaths; 8.6 new deaths per 100 000; a 15% increase), and Germany (1791 new deaths; 2.2 new deaths per 100 000; a 16% decrease).

After a declining trend in the number of weekly cases since the end of July 2021, the South-East Asia Region reported an increase in case incidence of 78%, corresponding to over 135 000 new cases. However, the number of new weekly deaths decreased by 9%, with over 2400 new deaths reported. Half of the countries (5/10) reported weekly increases in the number of new cases of over 10%. After India, the highest increases in new cases were reported by Bangladesh (3213 vs 2170 new cases, a 48% increase) and the Maldives (1188 vs 907 new cases, a 31% increase). The highest numbers of new cases were reported from India (102 330 new cases; 7.4 new cases per 100 000; a 120% increase), Thailand (19 588 new cases; 28.1 new cases per 100 000; a 6% increase) and Sri Lanka (4286 new cases; 20,0 new cases per 100 000; an 8 increase). The highest numbers of new deaths continued to be reported from India (2088 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; an 8% decrease), Thailand (140 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 31% decrease), and Sri Lanka (135 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; similar to the previous week).

The Western Pacific Region reported over 329 000 new cases, a 38% increase, as compared to the previous week. The incidence of deaths decreased by 10% as compared to the previous week, with over 2700 new weekly deaths reported. Nearly one-third of the countries in the Region (8/27, 30%) reported an increase in case incidence of over 50%, with the highest increases reported from the Philippines (9124 vs 833 new cases, a 995% increase), Fiji (1614 vs 192 new cases, a 741% increase) and Australia. The highest numbers of new cases were reported from Australia (138 240 new cases; 542.1 new cases per 100 000; a 203% decrease), Viet Nam (109 637 new cases; 112.6 new cases per 100 000, similar to the previous week), and the Republic of Korea (31 615 new cases; 61.7 new cases per 100 000; a 25% decrease). The highest numbers of new deaths were reported from Viet Nam (1603 new deaths; 1.6 new deaths per 100 000; similar to the previous week), the Republic of Korea (449 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 14% decrease), and the Philippines (358 new deaths; <1 new death per 100 000; a 30% decrease).

As I started this report with the note that the data is already a week behind, I can update in headline figures the situation up to 9/1/2022.

There has been a further increase in cases across the world in the past week with a 48% increase worldwide which equates to 15.867 million new cases. Europe saw a 33% increase in cases in the week, North America a 28% increase, Asia a 152% increase, South America a 175% increase, Africa a 6% increase and Oceania a 217% increase. The past week has seen huge increases in cases in India, Argentina, Brazil and the Philippines.

It is obvious to everyone reading this that the threat of the pandemic still exists, and we should all do all we can to help combat this disease.

Until the next time Stay Safe.

Total Cases Worldwide – 308,260,853

Total Deaths Worldwide – 5,507,807

Total Recovered Worldwide – 259,763,490

Total Active Cases Worldwide 42,989,556 (13.9% of the total cases)

Total Closed Cases Worldwide – 265,271,297

Information and Resources:

https://www.worldometer.info/coronavirus/

https://www.who.int/

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/weekly-trends/#countries

The Overseas Situation Report Friday 7 January 2022

by Mike Evans

“A pandemic will lead to permanent economic, social and cultural changes. The key is to create good from a bad situation.”

– Wayne Gerard Trotman, author

With new cases surging across the world with the Omicron variant this report is looking at the latest information coming out on what is happening around the world.

This week, The United States reported nearly 1 million new COVID-19 infections on Monday, the highest daily tally of any country in the world and nearly double the previous US peak set a week ago as the spread of the Omicron variant showed no signs of slowing.

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has risen nearly 50% in the past week and now exceeds 100,000, according to data collected by Reuters, marking the first time that threshold has been reached in a year.

The latest surge, which forced waves of cancellations – from commercial airlines flights to Broadway shows – in recent weeks, was disrupting plans for public schools to welcome students back from winter vacation.

The 978,856 new infections documented on Monday included some cases tallied on Saturday and Sunday, when many states do not report.

The new variant was estimated to account for 95.4% of cases identified in the United States as of 1 January, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said yesterday.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday sought to reassure the public that the federal government is prepared to address the growing COVID-19 health crisis amid a staggering increase in infections driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant. Addressing the country before a meeting with the White House COVID-19 response team, Biden once again exhorted Americans to get vaccinated and boosted and to wear masks in public to avoid spreading and catching the coronavirus. “We have the tools to protect people from severe illness due to omicron – if people choose to use the tools,’’ Biden said. “There’s a lot of reason to be hopeful in (2022), but for God’s sake, please take advantage of what’s available.’’

Biden pointed out the U.S. has enough vaccines and booster shots for everybody in the nation, but 35 million adults have yet to get the shots. He also emphasized the importance of keeping schools open and said the government has doubled its purchasing order of a COVID treatment pill from Pfizer from 10 million to 20 million.

To help combat this, The Biden administration doubled its order for Pfizer oral COVID-19 antiviral treatment, the company and the White House said on Tuesday, providing the government a total of 20 million courses as it fights a record surge in COVID-19 cases.

The White House now expects some 4 million treatment courses of the pills to be available by the end of January and 10 million by June, three months sooner than previously planned, according to an administration official. “These pills will be delivered in the coming months and have been shown to dramatically decrease hospitalization and death from COVID-19,” the White House said.

Vaccinations, however, remain the strongest line of defense against the virus, even with omicron’s increased ability to cause breakthrough infections. “You can still get COVID, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll become seriously ill,’’ Biden said. “If you’re vaccinated and boosted, you are highly protected. Be concerned about omicron, but don’t be alarmed. And if you’re unvaccinated, you have some reasons to be alarmed. You’ll experience severe illness in many cases.’’ The U.S. has recorded more than 57 million confirmed COVID-19 cases – or one for every six people in the country – and more than 829,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Over in Europe the surge has seen previously low numbers in some countries leap to record levels.

France announced a staggering 332,252 daily virus cases Wednesday, smashing a string of recent records, as hospitals prepared drastic measures to brace for patient surges and the government strained to avoid a new lockdown.

With Europe’s highest-ever single-day confirmed infection count, France is facing an omicron-driven surge that is dominating the race for April’s presidential election and increasingly disrupting workplaces, schools, and public life.

But the country also has one of the world’s most-vaccinated populations, so the government is hoping the sweeping infections won’t hit hospitals as badly as at the start of the pandemic and is pushing the small minority of unvaccinated people to get inoculated fast.

France’s weekly average of virus cases has doubled in the past 10 days, with more than 1,800 people out of 100,000 testing positive over the past week, according to the government health agency.

The number of virus patients in hospitals has been on an upward trajectory for two months, and more than 72% of French ICU beds are now occupied by people with COVID-19.

The surge has prompted authorities to allow health care workers who are infected with the coronavirus to keep treating patients rather than self-isolate, to ease staff shortages at medical facilities.

Meanwhile parliament is debating a bill that would deny unvaccinated people access to restaurants, regional trains and planes and many other public places. Health officials say it’s needed to save lives and protect hospitals. French President Emmanuel Macron heightened tensions with an explosive remark that prompted widespread criticism and was seen as a campaign ploy.

in the UK, data from the Office for National Statistics shows infection rates continuing to rise.

In the week up to December 31, one in 15 people in England were positive to COVID-19, up from one in 25 the week before.

In Wales and Scotland, one in 20 people had the virus, while in London, one in 10 people were positive during the week-long reporting period.

Italy on Wednesday made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for people from the age of 50, one of very few European countries to take similar steps, to ease pressure on its health service and reduce fatalities.

The measure is immediately effective and will run until June 15.

Italy has registered more than 138,000 coronavirus deaths since its outbreak emerged in February 2020, the second highest toll in Europe after Britain.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government had already made vaccination mandatory for teachers and health workers, and since October last year all employees have had to be vaccinated or show a negative test before entering the workplace.

Refusal results in suspension from work without pay, but not dismissal.

Wednesday’s decree toughens this up for workers over the age of 50 by removing the option of taking a test rather than vaccination. It was not immediately clear what the sanction would be for those flouting the rule, effective from Feb 15.

The decree was approved after a two-and-a-half-hour cabinet meeting which saw frictions within Draghi’s multi-party coalition.

“Today’s measures aim to keep our hospitals functioning well and at the same time keep open schools and business activities,” Draghi told the cabinet, according to his spokesperson. It has seen an average of more than 150 deaths per day over the last two weeks, with 231 fatalities on Wednesday and 259 on Tuesday. The tally of 189,109 new infections on Wednesday was its highest since the start of the pandemic.

Elsewhere in Europe, Austria has announced plans to make vaccination mandatory for those over 14 years old from next month, while in Greece it will be compulsory for over-60s from Jan 16. Austria’s conservative-led government on Thursday gave details of its plan to make coronavirus vaccines compulsory, saying it will apply to people 14 and over and holdouts face fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,071) every three months.

Schools across Greece will reopen on Jan. 10 as planned under strict health protocols, the government said on Tuesday, as the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country hit a record high.

The National Public Health Organization (EODY) confirmed 50,126 infections within 24 hours. The previous record was registered on New Year’s Eve (40,560 cases), while a week ago there were fewer than 10,000 cases per day.

Greek officials said that the returning students and teachers will be required to take more COVID-19 tests regardless of their vaccination status.

More than 70 percent of the new cases in Greece. Greece’s daily COVID-19 cases hit a new record. Its five big regions are linked to the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant, EODY’s President Theoklis Zaoutis told a press briefing on Monday.

The Omicron variant surge is expected to peak quickly and then decline by February, Gkikas Magiorkinis, a professor of epidemiology and a member of the committee of experts advising the Greek Health Ministry on the management of the COVID-19 crisis, told the Greek national news agency AMNA.

To end this report, new coronavirus cases in the Netherlands jumped to a record high of around 24,500 on Wednesday as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has become dominant in the country, official data showed infections were up almost 60% from last week despite a strict lockdown that has closed all but essential stores as well as restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, museums, and other public places since Dec 19. The previous record of just under 24,000 cases in 24 hours was set during the wave of infections caused by the Delta variant of the virus that swamped hospitals throughout the country in late November.

The lockdown has driven down the number of COVID-19 patients in Dutch hospitals to their lowest levels in two months, but experts expect admissions to increase again soon due to the rapid rise in infections.

Despite the looming wave of new cases, the Dutch government on Monday decided that primary and secondary schools can reopen as planned after the Christmas break on Jan 10. More than 85% of Dutch adults are vaccinated but the country’s booster campaign has been slow to ramp up. As of Wednesday 32%, of adults have had a booster, according to government data.

Until the next time, Stay Safe.

Total Cases Worldwide – 298,475,078

Total Deaths Worldwide – 5,484,453

Total Recovered Worldwide – 256,960,969

Total Active Cases Worldwide 36,029,656 (12% of the total cases)

Total Closed Cases Worldwide – 262,445,422

Information and Resources:

https://www.worldometer.info/coronavirus/

https://eu.usatoday.com/

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/netherlands-registers-record-number-coronavirus-cases-24-hours-2022-01-05/

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 5th January 2022

By Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 6,815 new Covid-19 cases, 1,856 recoveries and 4 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report, which was published a week ago. The number of new and active cases more than tripled. The number of new Covid-19 cases in a single day reached 4 figures for the first time. Once again, the vast majority of new Covid-19 cases were locally transmitted.

On Wednesday, there were 310 new Covid-19 cases (11 imported cases & 299 cases of local transmission) and 153 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 31, 2 of whom were in intensive care.

On Thursday, there were 794 new Covid-19 cases (42 imported cases & 752 cases of local transmission), 164 recoveries and 1 death. A 79-year-old male patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital increased to 35, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

On Friday, there were 1,157 new Covid-19 cases (64 imported cases & 974 cases of local transmission), 257 recoveries and 1 death. This was the first time the number of new Covid-19 cases in a single day reached 4 figures. An 89-year-old female patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 34, although the number of patients in intensive remained the same as the day before.

On Saturday, there were 1,001 new Covid-19 cases (27 imported cases & 287 cases of local transmission) and 201 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 44, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

On Sunday, there were 1,034 new Covid-19 cases (122 imported cases & 912 cases of local transmission), 304 recoveries and 1 death. An 83-year-old female patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital increased to 56, 4 of whom were in intensive care.

On Monday, there were 1,043 new Covid-19 cases (45 imported cases & 998 cases of local transmission) and 285 recoveries and 1 death. A 75-year-old female patient, who had not been inoculated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19. The number of patients in hospital increased to 62, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

And on Tuesday, there were 1,476 new Covid-19 cases (45 imported cases & 1,431 cases of local transmission) and 492 recoveries. This was the highest ever number of new Covid-19 cases in a single day. The number of patients in hospital increased to 65, 2 of whom were in intensive care.

There were 7,292 active cases on Tuesday, of which 379 had been imported while the remaining 6,913 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 25,141 cases, 17,713 recoveries and 136 deaths.

As of Tuesday, there were 71 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 7,156 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 65 patients in hospital, 2 of whom in intensive care.

On the same day, there were 305 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis, which were all linked to patients who tested positive for Covid-19, to calls made to the SRS24 helpline, to referrals by SESARAM (Madeira Regional Health Service) and to airport screening.

Also on the same day, there were 35,532 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 328 people, who had contact with positive cases, being monitored by the health authorities of several Madeira municipalities and of Porto Santo.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 322,132 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 15h30).

As for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests, a total of 854,829 tests had been carried out by December 12th, 780,618 of which as part of mass testing campaigns.

By Tuesday, 789,032 samples from RT-PCR tests had been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 1,824 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it had received 79,037 calls.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (Linha de Acompanhamento Psicológico da Direção Regional de Saúde – 291 212 399 – available every day from 09h00 to 21h00), which was set up to provide emotional and mental support to anyone in Madeira received 9 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it has received 4,007 calls.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/29/madeira-hoje-com-310-novos-casos-de-coronavirus/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/30/numeros-de-covid-19-explodem-na-madeira-hoje-sao-794-novos-casos/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/30/morreu-mais-um-doente-com-covid-19-no-hospital/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/31/numeros-de-covid-19-na-regiao-continuam-a-disparar-sao-1157-hoje/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/31/morreu-mais-uma-pessoa-com-covid-19/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/01/1001-novos-casos-de-covid-19-no-primeiro-dia-de-2022/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/02/1034-novos-casos-de-covid-19-este-domingo-ram-com-5551-casos-activos/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/02/madeira-regista-mais-uma-morte-com-covid-19/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/03/madeira-ja-tem-6308-casos-activos-de-covid-19-hoje-houve-mais-1043/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/03/morreu-mais-uma-doente-75-anos-com-a-covid-19/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/04/novo-recorde-de-infeccoes-por-sars-cov-2-1476-novos-casos/

Children’s Covid-19 vaccination to take place during weekends

The Regional Secretariat for Health and Civil Protection (Secretaria Geral da Saúde e Protecção Civil) announced that children’s Covid-19 vaccination will only take place during weekends in most municipalities. The aim is to ensure the process of inoculating children with the Covid-19 vaccine is safe and more centralised.

As such, the schedule for children’s Covid-19 vaccination is:

January 8th

Centro de Vacinação do Funchal (Funchal Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

Ribeira Brava & Ponta do Sol (at Ribeira Brava Vaccination Centre – Centro de Vacinação da Ribeira Brava) – 09h00-16h00

Centro de Vacinação da Calheta-Centro de Saúde (Calheta Vaccination Centre-Health Centre) – 14h00-17h00

Centro de Vacinação de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Vaccination Centre) – 14h00-18h00

Machico & Santana (at Machico Vaccination Centre – Centro de Vacinação do Machico) – 13h00-18h00

January 9th

Centro de Vacinação do Funchal (Funchal Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

São Vicente & Porto Moniz (at São Vicente Vaccination Centre – Centro de Vacinação de São Vicente) – 09h00-13h00

Centro de Vacinação de Câmara de Lobos (Câmara de Lobos Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-14h00

Centro de Vacinação do Porto Santo (Porto Santo Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-18h00

More information can be obtained by calling the Region’s Vaccine Hotline (SRS Vacina Covid-19 – 800 210 263) or the children’s support hotline (Linha de Apoio à Criança – 96 931 97 32

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/04/vacinacao-das-criancas-sera-feita-aos-fins-de-semana/

Covid-19 vaccination of people aged 12 or older

Vaccination of people aged 12 or older with the Covid-19 vaccine (1st, 2nd and 3rd doses) will take place on the following weekdays:

January 5th

Centro de Vacinação do Funchal (Funchal Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

Centro de Vacinação do Porto Moniz (Porto Moniz Vaccination Centre) – 10h30-15h00

January 6th

Centro de Vacinação do Funchal (Funchal Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

Centro de Vacinação de Santana (Santana Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-13h00

Centro de Vacinação de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

January 7th

Centro de Vacinação do Funchal (Funchal Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

Centro de Vacinação da Ponta do Sol (Ponta do Sol Vaccination Centre) – 13h00-16h00

January 8th

Centro de Vacinação de Câmara de Lobos (Câmara de Lobos Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-17h00

Ribeira Brava & Ponta do Sol (at Ribeira Brava Vaccination Centre – Centro de Vacinação da Ribeira Brava) – 09h00-11h00

Centro de Vacinação da Calheta-Centro de Saúde (Calheta Vaccination Centre-Health Centre) – 09h00-13h00

Centro de Vacinação de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-13h00

Machico & Santana (at Machico Vaccination Centre – Centro de Vacinação do Machico) – 09h00-12h00

January 10th

Centro de Vacinação do Porto Santo (Porto Santo Vaccination Centre) – 09h00-16h00

The third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is being administered to every person aged 18 or older who was inoculated with the 2nd dose of the vaccine, more than 6 months ago.

Due to vaccine management and the availability of resources, “open house” vaccination at Funchal Vaccination Centre (Centro de Vacinação do Funchal) is only available until 16h00 (everyday).

More information can be obtained by calling the Region’s Vaccine Hotline (SRS Vacina Covid-19 – 800 210 263) or the children’s support hotline (Linha de Apoio à Criança – 96 931 97 32)

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/04/vacinacao-das-criancas-sera-feita-aos-fins-de-semana/

Isolation period reduced to 5 days

The Regional Directorate of Health (Direcção Regional da Saúde) reduced the period of isolation for 5 days. This is due to the fast spread of the Omicron variant and its impact on the population and in society. Evidence seems to suggest most transmissions occurs 1-2 days before symptoms appear and 2-3 after symptoms appear.

If a rapid antigen test or a RT-PCR test comes back positive, the infected patient must isolate immediately, regardless of his/her vaccination status. Isolation must be last for 5 days if the patient does not show symptoms or if the symptoms only last up to 5 days. However, a face mask, with the minimum filtration of a surgical face mask, must be worn (it must fit tightly). If symptoms remain, isolation must continue symptoms disappear.

Those who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 or who were inoculated with the 2nd dose more than 6 months ago (or more than 2 months after being inoculated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and have not received a booster shot, must isolate for a minimum of 5 days and be tested on the 5th day. A face mask, with the minimum filtration of a surgical face mask, must be worn in the following 5 days (it must fit tightly).

Those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and received a booster shot, and who were in contact with a positive case, must wear a face mask, with the minimum filtration of a surgical face mask, in the following 10 days (it must fit tightly) when near other people. There will be no need for quarantine. However, a Covid-19 test must be carried out on the 5th day. If the person shows any symptoms, he/she must isolate and be tested.

The health authorities may impose a prophylactic isolation period of 10 days in exceptional circumstances, as result of a risk assessment.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/29/periodo-de-quarentena-na-ram-passa-a-ser-de-cinco-dias/

Municipality of Machico set up a helpline for people in prophylactic isolation

The Municipality of Machico set up a helpline to provide support to residents who are in prophylactic isolation. Residents who need psychological support, help with supermarket shopping, and help with the purchase of medication can contact the Municipality’s Social Support Office (Gabinete de Apoio Social) by calling: 910 831 413

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/04/camara-de-machico-cria-linha-de-apoio-para-quem-esta-em-isolamento-profilactico/

Lobo Marinho ferry services to be stopped for 5 weeks

Porto Santo Line informed that the Lobo Marinho ferry boat will have its annual maintenance on January 6th in Caniçal. It is scheduled to last for 5 weeks. The last service will be operated today, from Porto Santo to Funchal, at 18h00.

During the maintenance period, all journeys to Porto Santo will take place through a Binter flight. There will be 50 seats available everyday. These tickets will only be available for Porto Santo residents. They may be purchased at the Funchal store (at Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, number 20) and at the Porto Santo store (at Rua D. Estevão de Alencastre, store 6-7).

Porto Santo Line will pay for a container ship to make a weekly journey in order to ensure cargo transport between Madeira and Porto Santo.

As for perishable goods, Porto Santo Line will ensure there is a second weekly connection on Fridays, for the same price, to enable Porto Santo to be stocked with these goods. Refrigerated containers will be provided, free of charge, in Porto Santo.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/03/lobo-marinho-vai-para-manutencao-durante-5-semanas/

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:

CALHETA

January 6th – 09h00 to 10h00

– Rabaçal

– Câmara de Carga

– Pico da Urze

CANIÇO

January 7th – 13h30 to 15h30

– Rua do Cedro

FUNCHAL

January 7th – 23h00 to 24h00

– Beco do Meireles

– Beco de Santa Emília

– Calçada da Encarnação (numbers 5 and 6)

– Rua do Bom Jesus (numbers 7 to 42)

– Rua da Conceição (numbers 52 to 136)

– Rua da Elias Garcia (numbers 2 and 4)

– Rua do Pombal (numbers 1 and 3)

– Rua da Ponte Nova (numbers 7 to 55)

– Rua de Santa Luzia (numbers 3 to 51)

– Rua 31 de Janeiro (numbers 81 to 99)

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/2022/01/05/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-1-2022/

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 5^th January 2022

Introduction

Good morning – First a Happy and Safe New Year to you and our first weekly report of the New Year. Public health specialists and politicians will meet again at 10.00 hrs this Wednesday to assess the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic, at a time when Portugal registers a significant increase in infections due to the greater transmission capacity of the Omicron variant. Experts will make various presentations and we will as usual publish these as the meeting progresses. We recommend everyone follows this, as it does provide an up to date and comprehensive factual overview from the experts themselves. Keep informed through Informed!

Following this on Thursday there will be a meeting of the Council of Ministers who will discuss the data and recommendations from experts before deciding if there should be any change to the current measures in place or introduction of new ones. One of the biggest issues is the increase in hospitalisations and actives cases (over 200,000) (the latter placing more pressure on the health services.

Although the number of new cases is unprecedented compared to at any time during the pandemic, with record numbers over the last two weeks, this is a reflection of record testing levels. Over the last 5 days over 1.1 million tests have been administered – even allowing for lower numbers on 1^st and 2^nd January. As tests start increasing again then we will see higher numbers in the next few days which will likely be reflected in even higher incidence rates.

The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is already responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal, a “sudden increase” that occurred since 6^th December in just one month evidence of its incredible speed of transmission.

Conversely the number of hospitalizations is about a third of what it was for the same period a year ago. Between December 20, 2020 and January 3, 2021, the average number of hospitalized people was 2,925.2 and in ICU, the average was 497.5. These levels are some way below the red lines established by government. In the same period this year (2021/22), the average number of admissions was 959 and the average number of people in intensive care was 149.2.

As for the deaths attributed to covid-19, the decline is even more pronounced: between December 20, 2021 and January 3, 2022, the average daily death was 14.8, 79.2% less than the average of 71.4 daily deaths seen in the same period a year ago. It is very clear from these figures that vaccinations are having a marked effect in terms of reducing hospitalisations, serious cases and deaths. Portugal has already administered more than three million booster doses of the covid-19 vaccine and more than 2.4 million doses against the flu.

Changing the subject – Yesterday we published Europol report concerning substandard, illicit toys, including those that are unsafe or even toxic, represent a hazard in our markets and homes and expose our kids to uncontrolled health risks. Such risks include electric shocks and burns, choking hazards as well as toxicity.

How can you make sure that the new toys you want to buy for your children will bring them joy without being hazardous? In case you missed the article and the advice provided can be downloaded here: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/how-to-recognise-fake-and-hazardous-toys/

Along similar lines, Infarmed yesterday warned of the identification in Germany of a counterfeit pulse oximeter Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, recommending distributors in Portugal not to purchase or use this item. Infarmed in a bulletin referred to it as a counterfeit of the medical device that measures oxygen in the blood has been identified in Germany: the mandatory company mentioned on the labelling admits that it does not know the product or the alleged manufacturer.

If you require advice or have any doubts about a particular medicine and medical devices, especially when purchasing on-line, it is important to check that this is properly certified for use in Portugal. This can be checked by contacting Infarmed which has a great deal of information on medicines on its website.https://www.infarmed.pt/web/infarmed/institucional/documentacao_e_informacao

With that please have a Safe Day

Covid-19

DGS Situation report Tuesday 4^th January

Confirmed: 1.460.406 (+25,836)

Admitted: 1.203 (+ 36)

Admitted to ICU: 147 (0)

Deaths: 19.015 (+ 15)

Recovered: 1.227.642 (+ 19,931)

Active cases: 213,749 (+5,890)

COMPARISON with 2021

Despite the high number of new cases, with record numbers over the last two weeks, the number of hospitalized is about a third of what it was a year ago.

There is a large decrease in relation to the number of hospitalized when compared to 2020/21:

– Between December 20, 2020 and January 3, 2021, the average number of hospitalized people was 2,925.2.

In relation to intensive care, the average was 497.5.

– In the same period this year (2021/22), the average number of admissions was 959 and the average number of people in intensive care was 149.2.

As for the deaths attributed to covid-19, the decline is even more pronounced:

Between December 20, 2021 and January 3, 2022, the average daily death was 14.8, 79.2% less than the average of 71.4 daily deaths seen in the same period a year ago.

Health

Costa schedules a meeting with experts at Infarmed for Wednesday

The Prime Minister has scheduled another meeting with experts for today Wednesday, at Infarmed, in Lisbon, on the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic in Portugal.

At the meeting, which is scheduled for 10.00 hrs, only the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ferro Rodrigues, and the leader of the executive, António Costa, in addition to the Minister of Health, Marta Temido as well as various specialists, will be present at Infarmed’s premises.

The rest, i.e. party representatives, members of the Council of State or social partners, will participate in the meeting via videoconference.

In political terms, the results of the meeting will be analysed at the next Council of Ministers, on Thursday, at a time when both the incidence and the transmission rate (Rt) are increasing in Portugal.

Administered more than three million booster doses of the vaccine in Portugal

Portugal has already administered more than three million booster doses of the covid-19 vaccine and more than 2.4 million doses against the flu.

The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) said in a statement that, of the more than 2.4 million doses of flu vaccine administered in Portugal, around 477 thousand were in pharmacies. The note adds that more than one million people received both covid-19 and flu booster vaccines simultaneously.

According to data recorded up to the end of Monday, January 3, of the more than three million booster doses against covid-19 administered, nearly two million were in people over 65 years of age. So far, 88% of people over 70 have received a booster dose, says the DGS. Between 60 and 69 years old, 66% of people are already vaccinated.

According to data from the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS), more than 100,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 are scheduled to receive the vaccine against covid-19 between Thursday and Sunday.

Omicron variant responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal

The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is already responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal, a “sudden increase” that occurred just over a month after the first cases, announced today the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).

“Since December 6, there has been a high growth in the proportion of probable cases of the Omicron variant, having reached an estimated proportion of 89.6% on January 3, 2022”, says the INSA report on genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2, which causes covid-19 disease.

According to the institute that monitors the evolution of the coronavirus in Portugal, the “sudden increase” in community circulation of this variant resembles the “scenario observed in other countries”, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom.

The first 13 cases of Omicron in Portugal were detected at the end of November, associated with an outbreak in Belenenses SAD and the same transmission chain, but on December 6, the INSA said that 37 cases had already been registered.

A week later, on December 14, and with only 69 cases detected, the INSA report admitted the community circulation of Omicron, which was confirmed on the 20th of the same month, when the variant was already responsible for an estimated proportion of 46.9% of infections.

With the Delta variant progressively losing ground after having been dominant for several months, Omicron was responsible for 82.9% of infections recorded at the end of the year, according to the health authorities’ latest pandemic risk analysis data.

Restrictions led to cancellation of reservations at more than 80% of accommodation and catering businesses

The results of the most recent survey by AHRESP indicate that, “in total this Christmas and New Year’s season, 47% of catering companies and 42% of accommodation registered cancellations in more than half of the reservations they had confirmed”.

The restrictive measures applied during Christmas and New Year resulted in cancellations in more than 80% of accommodation and catering companies, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP), he restrictive measures applied during Christmas and New Year resulted in cancellations in more than 80% of accommodation and catering companies, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP), announced on Tuesday.

According to AHRESP, the mandatory presentation of a digital vaccination certificate for restaurants and accommodation and tests for bars and clubs led to cancellations of reservations in 88% of establishments, while 83% of tourist accommodation companies registered cancellations.

“In total this Christmas and New Year’s season, 47% of catering companies and 42% of accommodation registered cancellations in more than half of the reservations they had confirmed”, adds AHRESP.

The AHRESP survey also adds that in the food and beverage sector, 20% of companies registered a drop in turnover of more than 50% in December compared to the same month in 2020.

The document also points out that 47% of companies admitted not having managed to accumulate financial reserves in the summer months and that 44% did, “but already had to use them.”

Portugal without cases of “flurone”. But increased flu could lead to cases of simultaneous infection, warns the INSA

The Doctor Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute (INSA) has not registered any cases of simultaneous infection by the viruses that cause the flu and covid-19, but today admitted that these situations occur, given the predictable increase in flu activity.

“With the increased circulation of the flu virus and the continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2, co-infections may be detected,” said Raquel Guiomar, responsible for the national reference laboratory for flu and other respiratory viruses from the INSA Department of Infectious Diseases.

“In Portugal we still haven’t detected cases of infection by the flu virus and by SARS-CoV-2. The survey for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza is being carried out in parallel in all samples of the national influenza surveillance program and other respiratory viruses and no covid/influenza coinfections were detected”, said Raquel Guiomar.

On Sunday, Israel’s Ministry of Health confirmed to EFE news agency that the country had detected the first case of simultaneous infection by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and influenza virus, a co-infection that has received the designation “flurone”, in a pregnant woman not vaccinated.

“Flurone” is a designation defined using the terms ‘flu’ (flu) and ‘rona’ (from coronavirus).

The woman was discharged Dec. 30 after being treated for mild symptoms from this dual infection (flu and covid-19), added the Times of Israel.

In Portugal, the latest INSA flu epidemiological surveillance bulletin, released on December 30, indicated that Portugal has a growing flu activity, with an incidence rate of 19.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Regarding the severity indicator, one case of flu (influenza A) was reported by the 17 intensive care units that sent information, with no flu situations having been reported by the wards.

Classroom teaching set to resume on January 10th

Face to face classes will resume next Monday, the 10th, guaranteed, this Monday, the Deputy Secretary of State and Health, António Lacerda Sales , also announcing the reinforcement vaccination of teachers in an open house in the next 6th. , 7, 8 and 9. Period in which more than 100,000 children between 5 and 11 years of age must be immunized.

The decision to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday is contested by the vice president of the National Association of Public Health Physicians (ANMSP), Gustavo Tato Borges, who predicts a peak of 100,000 infected people per day at the end of this month. On Wednesday, there is a meeting at Infarmed to analyse the evolution of the pandemic.

Given the exponential increase in the number of people infected with covid-19, Gustavo Tato Borges argues that, until the end of January, classes should take place at a distance. “If the cases reduce sooner, the students return to the classroom sooner”, he explains to JN.

The vice president of the ANMSP is concerned, above all, with children from the 1st and 2nd cycles, as they only took the first dose of the vaccine. “As they are not fully protected, they will get sick more easily and pass it on to the most vulnerable family members.” Although he agrees with Lacerda Sales, when he invokes the importance of in-person classes for the physical and mental health of students, Gustavo Tato Borges argues that the protection of older family members, who are at increased risk, should prevail, so that the more serious consequences do not weigh on the conscience of no one.

Open House for teachers on the afternoons of the 6th, 7, 8th and 9th of January

Teachers and professionals at nurseries and ATL will be able to boost the covid-19 vaccine under Open House regime in the afternoons of next few days 6, 7, 8 and 9, announced the Deputy Secretary of State and Health.

In an interview with CNN Portugal on Monday night, Lacerda Sales said this vaccination booster takes place on the same days as children’s vaccination scheduled for the morning, and professionals only need to resort to digital passwords and show a document that prove your job.

On Monday, Lacerda Sales gave assurance that back to school will happen even on January 10th, removing the chance of being delayed due to increased cases of covid-19.

′′ I don’t think that measure [postponement] is assuredly on the table. And therefore, classes begin on January 10 for children, because this is a fundamental measure for our children’s physical, mental, social and psychological health “, said the ruler, in Coimbra.

Lacerda Sales statements came on the same day as the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) regretted half of teachers continuing without the dose of boosting the covid-19 vaccine, considering re-postponing schools would be synonymous with ′′ failure of decisions and actions taken “.

According to Fenprof accounts, about half of teachers are still waiting to be called to the booster dose: ′′ By virtue of the ageing of the teaching profession, about half of teachers and educators may have already been vaccinated or scheduled for vaccination, however, everyone else continues to stand by “.

Due to the worsening number of new cases of covid-19, the Government has decided to postpone the resumption of classes for one week (until the 10th).

Infarmed issues alert for counterfeit pulse oximeter

A counterfeit of the medical device that measures oxygen in the blood was identified in Germany: the mandatory company mentioned on the labelling admits that it does not know the product or the alleged manufacturer.

Infarmed warned of the identification in Germany of a counterfeit pulse oximeter Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, recommending distributors in Portugal not to purchase or use.

The National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) reports on its website that a counterfeit medical device, which measures oxygen in the blood, Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, model C101H1, from the manufacturer Shenzhen IMDK Medical Technology Co., has been identified in Germany. Ltd.

“In the labelling of the counterfeit product, the entity “Shenzhen Mdk Medical Technologyco., ltd” is identified as the manufacturer and MedNet GmbH as agent”, says Infarmed.

However, the company MedNet GmbH said it did not know the product or the alleged manufacturer, says Infarmed, adding that the CE0123 marking on the label is also false.

Infarmed also indicates that in Portugal, it has alerted all distributors who notified the sale of this medical device to the existence of this counterfeit product and recommended to all those involved in the marketing chain and users that, if the counterfeit product is eventually detected, it should not be purchased or used.

Other news

Hackers who attacked SIC and Expresso were inside the system for several days planning a sequential attack

The attack was claimed by the Lapsus group, which is suspected to be made up of Colombians and a Spaniard, and which was inside Impresa’s servers for several days before unleashing the attack. On the 30th, the same group had tried to enter an international company based in Lisbon.

The Judiciary Police (PJ) is already investigating the computer attack on the websites of the newspaper Expresso and SIC, as confirmed by PÚBLICO.

The Impresa group itself, which owns the two media, had already confirmed that it was collaborating with the PJ and the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS) and announced that it will “file a criminal complaint” against what it considered to be an “unseen attack to press freedom in Portugal in the digital age”.

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 5^th January 2022

From our colleague in the Azores

29^th December 2021

249 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 164 in São Miguel, 62 in Terceira, 16 in Faial, six in Santa Maria and one in Pico, resulting from 1,765 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 84 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 26 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 22 in the municipality of Nordeste, 17 in the municipality of Lagoa, 10 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and five in the municipality of Povoação.

Terceira registers 33 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 29 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Faial registers 16 new cases corresponding to the municipality of Horta.

Santa Maria has six new positive cases corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto and in Pico there is also a record of a new positive case in the municipality of Madalena.

Admissions:

There are 14 inpatients, 13 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (four at the Intensive Care Unit), and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Ilha Terceira.

Recoveries:

87 recoveries were registered.

30^th December 2021

288 new positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, with 221 on the island of São Miguel, 37 on the island of Faial, 19 on the island of Terceira, five on the island of Santa Maria, three on the island of Pico, two on the island of Graciosa and one on the island of São Jorge, following 2.177 tests carried out.

On the island of São Miguel, 114 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 35 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 22 in the municipality of Lagoa, 22 in the municipality of Povoação, 21 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and seven in the municipality of Nordeste.

The island of Faial registers 37 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

The island of Terceira registers 11 new positive cases in the municipality of Praia da Vitoria and eight in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

The island of Santa Maria has five new positive cases in the municipality of Vila do Porto, and on the island of Pico, there are three new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena.

On the island of Graciosa two new cases were diagnosed, corresponding to the municipality of Santa Cruz and on the island of São Jorge, in the municipality of Calheta, there is a new case.

Hospitalisations:

There are 14 patients hospitalised, with 13 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (four in Intensive Care Unit) and one in Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island.

Recoveries:

50 recoveries were registered.

31^st December 2021

390 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, 246 in São Miguel, 97 in Terceira, 18 in Faial, 10 in Pico, six in Flores, six in Santa Maria, five in Graciosa and two in São Jorge, resulting from 5,025 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 140 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 48 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 34 in the municipality of Lagoa, 17 in the municipality of Povoação and seven in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo.

Terceira registers 51 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 46 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Faial registers 18 new cases corresponding to the municipality of Horta.

Pico registers eight new ones in the municipality of São Roque, one in the municipality of Madalena and one in the municipality of Lajes.

In Flores there are six new cases, four in the municipality of Santa Cruz and two in the municipality of Lajes.

In Santa Maria there are six new cases corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto.

In Graciosa there are five new positive cases corresponding to the municipality of Santa Cruz.

In São Jorge there is a new case in the municipality of Calheta and another in the municipality of Velas.

Admissions:

There are 11 inpatients, 10 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (four in the Intensive Care Unit) and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Ilha Terceira.

Recoveries:

69 recoveries were registered.

1^st January 2022

392 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 266 in São Miguel, 104 in Terceira, 11 in Faial, nine in Pico and two in Santa Maria, resulting from 5,381 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 112 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 48 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 46 in the municipality of Lagoa, 37 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, 12 in the municipality of Povoação and 11 in the municipality of Nordeste.

Terceira registers 50 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 54 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Faial registers 11 new cases corresponding to the municipality of Horta.

Pico registers four new ones in the municipality of Madalena and five in the municipality of São Roque.

In Santa Maria there are two new cases corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto.

Death:

A 69-year-old man died at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, victim of covid-19. He was a resident of Pico da Pedra, municipality of Ribeira Grande.

Admissions:

There are 11 inpatients, 10 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (four in the Intensive Care Unit) and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Ilha Terceira.

Recoveries:

72 recoveries were registered.

2^nd January 2022

96 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 63 in São Miguel, 20 in Terceira, seven in Pico, four in São Jorge and two in Santa Maria, resulting from 935 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 34 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 17 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, nine in the municipality of Lagoa, two in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and one in the municipality of Nordeste.

Terceira registers four new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 16 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Pico registers seven new cases in the municipality of Lajes, São Jorge registers four cases in the municipality of Calheta and in Santa Maria there are two new cases corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto.

Admissions:

There are 15 hospitalized patients, 11 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (four at the Intensive Care Unit) and four at the Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira Hospital.

Recoveries:

89 recoveries were registered.

3^rd January 2022

179 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, with 126 on the island of São Miguel, 33 on the island of Terceira, 17 on the island of Faial, two on the island of Pico and one on the island of Graciosa, following 1,251 tests carried out.

On the island of Sao Miguel, 81 new positive cases were registered in Ponta Delgada, 26 in Ribeira Grande, 14 in Lagoa, four in Vila Franca do Campo and one in Povoação.

The island of Terceira registered 24 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and nine in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.
The island of Faial registered 17 new cases in the municipality of Horta, the island of Pico registered two cases in the municipality of Madalena and the island of Graciosa has a new case in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Hospitalisations:

There are 17 patients hospitalised, 14 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (three in Intensive Care) and three at the Santo Espírito Santo Hospital of Terceira Island.

Recoveries:

20 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.

4^th January 2022

219 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, with 170 on the island of São Miguel, 20 on the island of Pico, 19 on the island of Faial, six on the island of Terceira and four on the island of Santa Maria, following 2,150 tests carried out.

On the island of Sao Miguel, 89 new positive cases were registered in Ponta Delgada, 43 in Ribeira Grande, 21 in Lagoa, 16 in Vila Franca do Campo and one in Povoação.

The island of Pico registered 11 new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena, six in the municipality of Lajes and three in the municipality of São Roque.

The island of Faial registered 19 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

The island of Terceira registered four new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and two in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

In turn, the island of Santa Maria registered four new positive cases in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

Hospitalisations:

There are 16 patients hospitalised, 13 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (three in Intensive Care) and three at the Santo Espírito Santo Hospital of Terceira Island.

Recoveries:

A total of 169 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.

Death:

In the last 24 hours, the death of a 77-year-old woman, who died from covid-19, was registered at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada. She resided in the parish of Santa Bárbara, the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and had been hospitalised since December 22.

Current situation:

The archipelago currently registers 2,171 active positive cases: 1,504 on the island of São Miguel, 414 on the island of Terceira, 151 on the island of Faial, 58 on the island of Pico, 24 on the island of Santa Maria, nine on the island of Graciosa, six on the island of Flores and five on the island of São Jorge.

From December 31st, 2020, to December 22nd, 2021, 198,828 people have completed primary vaccination (84%) and 34,528 have already received the vaccine booster dose (3rd dose).

Azores reduce prophylactic isolation to five days

The Regional Health Authority will reduce the period of prophylactic isolation for those infected with SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms and close contacts from 10 to five days.

“Positive cases now have five days of isolation. If you do not have symptoms during these five days, or even at the end of these five days, you will no longer be isolated and will have the obligation of specific and rigorous behavioural care, including the use of a mask”, said Clélio Meneses, at a press conference.

The new criteria for determining prophylactic isolation in the archipelago, announced this Monday, take effect on Tuesday, January 4th.

Portas do Mar vaccination centre in São Miguel reopens on Thursday

The Portas do Mar vaccination centre in Ponta Delgada will reopen next Thursday, earlier than initially planned.

On January 6th the Portas do Mar vaccination post will reopen, as yet another response to the mass vaccination of the population and, at this moment, people between 64 and 50 years old will be vaccinated, with the booster dose. No reservations are required.

The reopening of the vaccination post was scheduled for January 10th.

Families resettled indefinitely at Feteiras

President of the Parish Council said that bad weather forced the relocation of 14 people indefinitely to Feteiras, considering that, of the 13 houses affected by the bad weather, four are uninhabitable.

The bad weather that was felt in the night of December 30th to 31st, on the island of São Miguel, forced the relocation of 14 people for an indefinite period in the parish of Feteiras.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 5^th January 2022

House prices for rent in the Algarve rose 7.6% in 2021

Renting a house in the Algarve now costs 9.8 euros per square meter. Prices only dropped in Albufeira (-2.2 percent) in 2021.

House prices for rent in the Algarve rose 7.6 percent in 2021, comparing December 2021 with the same month in 2020.

According to the price index of the idealista portal, at the end of December 2021, renting a house in the region had a cost of 9.8 euros per square meter (m2). In relation to the quarterly variation, leasing increased by 1.6 percent.

The only drop in prices in the region in 2021 was registered in Albufeira (-2.2 percent). Conversely, prices rose in Lagoa (14.8 percent), Loulé (13.5 percent), Faro (12.2 percent), Tavira (9.9 percent), Olhão (9 percent), Silves (7.3 percent), Portimão (6.4 percent), Lagos (5.8 percent) and Vila Real de Santo António (2.6 percent)

The most expensive municipality to rent a house is Loulé (12.2 euros/m2), followed by Lagos (9.7 euros/m2) and Lagoa (9.2 euros/m2).

On the other hand, the cheapest are Vila Real de Santo António (8.6 euros/m2), Olhão (8.6 euros/m2) and Portimão (8.5 euros/m2).

At the national level, housing for rent registered a decrease of 4.3 percent in 2021, standing at 10.7 euros/m2.

ABC opens Covid-19 testing centre in Moura

The Algarve Biomedical Centre (ABC) will open this Sunday, January 9th, in Moura, which is its first Covid-19 testing centre in Alentejo.

In partnership with the Municipality of Moura, the centre will be open on Sundays, between 16:00 and 19:30, and on Wednesdays, from 11:00 to 14:00.

This testing centre is located next to the City Council, in Pátio dos Rolins, and will provide PCR and antigen tests, the latter being financed by the National Health Service.

Appointments must be made online on the ABC website.

ABC thus opens its tenth Covid-19 test centre in Moura, after Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Portimão, São Brás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

Albufeira hosts lifeguard training course in February and March

Registration is open until the 28th of January for the lifeguard training course that will take place in Albufeira between the 1st of February and the 16th of March.

The course, promoted by the Association of Salvadoran Swimmers of Albufeira (ANSA), comprises 31 sessions in a total of 150 hours, from Monday to Saturday (minimum daily load 5 hours). The final exam “will be carried out during working hours”, on a date to be determined by the Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos.

In the end, those who finish the course with a positive grade will be entitled to a certification conferred by this entity.

«The training is valid throughout the country, to perform the functions of lifeguard, at any beach/pool, for a period of 3 years, in accordance with the applicable legislation», according to ANSA.

Candidates will be subject to an admission test, where they will have to “run 2400 meters in a maximum time of 14 minutes”, “swim 100 meters free, in a maximum time of 1h50 minutes”, “underwater swimming (apnea) in a minimum time of 20 seconds”, “swim 25 meters in dorsal decubitus (back), only with swinging legs” and “catch two weights at a minimum depth of 2 meters”.

To be able to access this test, candidates must meet minimum requirements, starting with age, since trainees must be at least 18 years old at the start of the course.

Compulsory education is also required, as well as “proof of professional activities developed and other relevant elements for the assessment of their ability to attend the course”.

Candidates must also “have physical strength and psychological profile for the activity of lifeguard”, proven by a medical certificate for the purpose.

Attendance at the course has a total cost of 200 euros, 40 of which for the entrance exam and 160 for the registration fee. This amount includes insurance, lifeguard manual and a resuscitation mask.

Enrolment can be done through the website of the FEPONS Professional Lifeguard Training School , which will teach the course.

Ryanair flight from Manchester to Faro makes emergency landing in France after reports of a fire on board

A Ryanair flight departing Manchester, UK, and bound for Faro, made an emergency landing in France this Monday, following a fire that reportedly broke out in the aircraft.

According to reports the plane made an abrupt descent from about 40,000 feet to 6,725 feet in seven minutes, landing in Brest, in western France, at 19.30 hours.

According to publications on the social network Twitter, the flight made an emergency landing after reports from passengers of a fire having broken out on board.

“All the passengers were transported to a bus by the French police”, can be read in one of the publications where there are images of the plane that was received by several vehicles of firefighters.

According to the portal FlightAware, the flight that departed at 6.33 pm from Manchester was scheduled to arrive at 9.30 pm in Faro.

There were initial concerns that there could have been a loss of cabin pressure on the aircraft.

Passengers of flight FR4052 were able to continue their journey to Faro once the incident was dealt with as another plane was dispatched from Stanstead to reach them.

The Overseas Situation Report Tuesday 4 January 2022

by Mike Evans

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

A very happy new year to all our followers both on our Facebook page and on our website. We hope, despite the ongoing pandemic, that you were all able to enjoy the festivities with family and friends wherever you may be living.

As we enter a new year there are some signs that despite the onslaught that the Omicron variant has wreaked across the world there is evidence that this particular variant is not as deadly as those previous and that already in South Africa there seems to be a reduction in cases. However, this virus still has a long way to go before we can all say for sure that it is done with!

To start off the new year set of Overseas reports we will look at what has happened during the past week compared to the previous week around the world.

In the past week according to data from Worldometer.info there has been a 58% increase worldwide in new cases. In the week leading up to Christmas there were 5,803,843 new cases recorded across the world. In the past week, (up to 1/1/22) there have been 9,186,114 cases across the world.

Breaking down into regions we find that Europe was responsible for almost half of these with a total of 4,847,132 new cases, a rise of 58% on the previous 7 days. North America saw a 60% increase in cases with 2,768,645. In South America the number of cases in the past week more than doubled the previous week’s total with 401,469 new cases compared to 152,595 cases the previous week.

In Oceania, whilst the number of new cases is small compared to Europe this region still saw a 200% increase in cases to 140,068 compared to just 46,596 the previous week. Asia saw a change of 40% in cases this last week compared to before Christmas with 706,454 new cases compared to 503,424 the previous week.

Finally, in Africa, where many have suggested the new variant first appeared, the increase in new cases was just 2% over the previous week with a total of 304.346 new cases. The interesting statistic from Africa is that new cases in South Africa dropped by 48% in the past week. Across the world we are also seeing a drop in deaths with a 7% drop worldwide in the past week compared to the previous 7 days.

However, whilst Africa has seen a marked drop in infections the same cannot be said for deaths in the country. In the past week the number of people dying from Covid 19 increased by 7% which is a concern for their medical authorities.Coronavirus restrictions have been loosened in South Africa as case numbers wane in the country, though the government says that there is still reason for caution.

“All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level,” the government said in a statement Thursday, adding that the risk of infection remains “given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant. “South Africa was the first country to detect the Omicron variant in November, and the subsequent wave drove the country’s seven-day rolling average of daily cases more than 70 times higher — from 327 on Nov. 17 to 23,437 a month later.

The government set an overnight curfew, restricted alcohol sales and capped public gatherings in an effort to slow the spread. When the government relaxed those restrictions Thursday, ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations, the rolling average of daily cases was down more than half from the mid-December peak — to 10,324 — and still trending downward in nearly every part of the country. South African researchers have found that those infected with Omicron in the country are, on average, less likely to end up in the hospital. They also appear to recover more quickly from illness, compared to the other variants. But it remains to be seen whether that will be the case in the rest of the world, as other countries begin to contend with their own Omicron surges.

Experts believe that because of South Africa’s past dramatic spikes and relatively low vaccination rate — less than a quarter of the population when the Omicron wave began — most South Africans had probably already been exposed to the coronavirus and had some amount of immune protection.

To look at some more of the details, let’s look at Europe. Despite many countries announcing new restrictions for the holiday period the rise in infections has continued unabated or so it seems. France has in the past week, seen new cases more than double with over 1 million new infections reported. The UK follows closely with a 51% increase in new cases to 1,096,712, Italy has the third highest new cases in the last week with 644,509, an increase of 150%.

More concerning for France and the UK is the fact that deaths are increasing as well. In France 1,305 people lost their lives to covid in the past week compared to 1,128 the previous seven days and in the UK, there was a 35% increase in deaths in the past week with 921 people losing their lives. As with the rest of Europe as we move into the colder weather there is the fear that this figure along with the rise in cases will increase even more over the next few weeks. We can all but hope this is not the case.

Other notable increases in new cases are Greece with a massive hike in cases in the past week with 170,029 compared to 39594 the previous week, Portugal saw a 148% increase in cases in the past week compared to the previous 7 days with 136,883 new cases. Whilst deaths in Portugal remain relatively low there is evidence to suggest that more people are dying from Covid now than they were previously. In the past week there has been a 6% increase in deaths compared to the previous week. Whether this is due to the cold spell or the fact that the elderly are also prone to other infections like pneumonia could also be a factor.

In Europe deaths have dropped by 6% in the past week and most of the countries showing increases are from the North or east of Europe. Portugal stands alone in being the only southern European country with an increase in the past week.

Across the Atlantic the USA saw a rise of 54% in new cases in the past week with a total of 2,469,121 new cases compared to 1.598,175 the previous week. The good news is that deaths in the USA are down by 7% in the past week.

In Canada there was a doubling of new cases in the past week with over 240,000 cases compared to 103,242 in the week up to Christmas. However, more concerning is that deaths in the past week have gone up by 87% with 193 people succumbing to the disease compared to 103 in the previous week. Several provinces have again set new highs in COVID-19 cases, reporting on the first day of 2022 that the highly transmissible Omicron variant continued to drive up infections across Canada.

Ontario on Saturday reported 18,445 cases, an increase from 16,713 new cases reported on New Year’s Eve. Infectious disease experts have said for several days that the actual number of new cases is likely far higher than those reported each day because many public health units in Ontario have reached testing capacity. The provincial public health department said 12 more people have died due to the virus and 85 more people were in hospital.

Quebec reported 17,122 new cases, marking the fifth straight day a record number of new infections have been reported in the province. It also recorded eight additional deaths.

Outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations in the province were prohibited as of 10 p.m. ET because a curfew, lasting until 5 a.m., went into effect on Friday. The curfew is Quebec’s second of the pandemic. A previous curfew, announced in early January 2021, was in place for nearly five months. New restrictions also include banning nearly all indoor gatherings and the closing of restaurant dining rooms. Indoor gatherings involving more than one household bubble have been prohibited.

Records were also set on Saturday in Nunavut, which reported 50 new cases, and Newfoundland and Labrador, which logged 442 new infections.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, Health Minister John Haggie said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolating with cold-like symptoms. The province’s surge in cases will affect health-care services in St. John’s. Eastern Health says non-urgent services will be temporarily scaled back as of Tuesday to allow for a greater focus on booster vaccine clinics and testing for COVID-19. The health authority says it plans to focus on urgent or emergent acute care services within the city. However, prenatal appointments will continue, as will those for cancer treatment. The medical imaging program will be performing exams on a priority basis, and those patients will be contacted only if their appointment has been cancelled, Eastern Health said in a statement issued Friday. All non-urgent appointments have been cancelled, it said.

Boosting vaccination efforts is one of the country’s top priorities as 2021 turns to 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his year-end statement on Friday. Trudeau said Canadians will need to continue working together to end the pandemic, adding that the “strength, determination and compassion” they’ve demonstrated over the past year will “keep inspiring and guiding us in the new year.”

Until the next time Stay Safe.

Total Cases Worldwide – 289,818,031

Total Deaths Worldwide – 5,458,811

Total Recovered Worldwide – 254,311,371

Total Active Cases Worldwide 30,047,849 (10.4% of the total cases)

Total Closed Cases Worldwide – 259,770,182

Information and Resources:

https://www.worldometer.info/coronavirus/

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/weekly-trends/#countries

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid19-canada-world-jan1-2022-1.6301813

Madeira Situation Report – Wednesday 29th December 2021

By Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update

There were 1,953 new Covid-19 cases, 1,052 recoveries and 9 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report, which was published a week ago.

On Wednesday, there were 252 new Covid-19 cases (15 imported cases & 237 cases of local transmission), 145 recoveries and 3 deaths. Two female patients (aged 84 and 85) and one male patient (aged 78) died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. All patients had pre-existing conditions and one of them was not vaccinated against Covid-19. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 34, none of whom were in intensive care.

On Thursday, there were 268 new Covid-19 cases (19 imported cases & 249 cases of local transmission), 110 recoveries and 1 death. A 70-year-old female patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital and in intensive care remained the same as the day before.

On Friday, there were 264 new Covid-19 cases (18 imported cases & 246 cases of local transmission), 117 recoveries and 1 death. An 88-year-old female patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 32, none of whom were in intensive care.

On Saturday, there were 295 new Covid-19 cases (9 imported cases & 287 cases of local transmission), 174 recoveries and 1 death. A 97-year-old male patient, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19 and who had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 30, and, once again no patients were in intensive care.

On Sunday, there were 178 new Covid-19 cases (17 imported cases & 161 cases of local transmission) and 129 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 28, none of whom were in intensive care.

On Monday, there were 325 new Covid-19 cases (19 imported cases & 306 cases of local transmission) and 190 recoveries and 1 death. An 82-year-old male patient, who had not been inoculated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 27, none of whom were in intensive care.

And on Tuesday, there were 371 new Covid-19 cases (16 imported cases & 355 cases of local transmission), 187 recoveries and 2 deaths. This was the highest ever number of new Covid-19 cases in a single day. A 60-year-old male patient and an 87-year-old female patient died with Covid-19. Both patients had pre-existing conditions, although one of them was not vaccinated against Covid-19. The number of patients in hospital increased to 36, none of whom were in intensive care.

There were 2,337 active cases on Tuesday, of which 132 had been imported while the other 2,305 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 18,326 cases, 15,857 recoveries and 132 deaths.

As of Tuesday, there were 106 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 2,195 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 36 patients in hospital, none of whom in intensive care.

On the same day, there were 460 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis, which were all linked to patients who tested positive for Covid-19, to calls made to the SRS24 helpline, to referrals by SESARAM (Madeira Regional Health Service) and to airport screening.

Also on the same day, there were 44,700 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 389 people, who had contact with positive cases, being monitored by the health authorities of several Madeira municipalities and of Porto Santo.

As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 321,928 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 15h30).

As for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests, a total of 854,829 tests had been carried out by December 12th, 780,618 of which as part of mass testing campaigns.

By Tuesday, 775,004 samples from RT-PCR tests had been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 2,073 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it had received 77,213 calls.

The Covid-19 mental health helpline (Linha de Acompanhamento Psicológico da Direção Regional de Saúde – 291 212 399 – available every day from 09h00 to 21h00), which was set up to provide emotional and mental support to anyone in Madeira received 15 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it has received 3,988 calls.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/23/252-novos-casos-so-esta-quarta-feira-na-ram/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/22/mais-tres-mortos-com-covid-19-hoje-na-ram/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/23/novo-recorde-de-infectados-por-altura-da-noite-do-mercado/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/23/mais-uma-morte-com-covid-19-ja-sao-127-na-ram/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/24/264-casos-de-sars-cov-2-na-vespera-de-natal/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/24/morreu-mais-uma-doente-com-covid-19-no-hospital-dr-nelio-mendonca-2/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/25/quase-trezentos-novos-casos-e-uma-morte-no-dia-de-natal/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/26/178-novos-casos-de-covid-19-este-domingo/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/27/325-casos-positivos-de-sars-cov-2-hoje-na-regiao/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/27/madeira-atinge-marca-de-130-mortos-com-covid-19/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/28/ram-bate-recordes-na-covid-19-hoje-sao-371-novos-casos/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/28/mais-duas-mortes-com-covid-19-na-madeira-2/

Covid-19 vaccination update

Pedro Ramos, Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary, revealed that since new restrictions were introduced on November 18th, about 7,000 people were inoculated against Covid-19 for the first time. He explained the need for both a vaccination certificate and a negative Covid-19 test to take part in several activities led to the inoculation of this group of people who had not been inoculated before, albeit not for extremist reasons.

He reiterated that the percentage of children who had been inoculated in the first week of children’s vaccination was “unacceptable”. As of December 25th, 1,190 children (8%) out of a total of 14,715 had been inoculated against Covid-10, and only 321 (27%) belonged to vulnerable groups.

He stressed that the inoculation of children against Covid-19 is an act of protection at a time when public health is at risk, and that national and international recommendations should be followed. Nevertheless, he was more hopeful because 300 inoculations had taken place in the Region on Monday. Indeed, he explained the resumption of school classes will be much safer if the inoculation rate is similar or higher.

He reminded that Covid-19 vaccination can help prevent complications as a result of Covid-19 infection.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/153755/Cerca_de_7_mil_pessoas_vacinaram-se_pela_primeira_vez_desde_o_anuncio_das_novas_restricoes_

https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/governo-da-madeira-considera-inaceitavel-numero-de-criancas-vacinadas-na-regiao-14441583.html

Social gatherings not advised if there are any Covid-19 symptoms

Pedro Ramos, appealed for everyone who has any Covid-19 symptom “not to take part in any social gatherings, including family gatherings”.

He said the Region is testing massively, and that everyone who tests positive for Covid-19 after a rapid antigen test will be contacted so as to take a PCR test. This is also to prevent helplines from being overwhelmed with callers.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/153544/Pedro_Ramos_Nao_frequentem_quaisquer_convivios_se_houver_alguma_suspeita

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 29^th December 2021

Introduction

Good morning: Over the last few days Covid-19 figures have very much been in focus with over 17,000 cases recorded yesterday, the highest so far since the start of the pandemic. There is little doubt that these high numbers are being driven by the Omicron variant, which according to the INSA, accounted for 75% of all cases, as of 27^ndDecember. Testing is at an all-time high and even though the positivity rate remains below the threshold of 4 (3.4%), compared with some 10% for the same week last year, this is still bound to result in a far higher number of new daily cases, compared to what we have seen in recent weeks.

With a transmission rate increasing from 1.11 last Friday to 1.23 on Monday, and an incidence rate increasing by 27% to over 800 in just 3 days, how far these numbers of new cases will increase and the effect it will have on hospitalisations, serious illnesses and deaths, remains to be seen. We await today’s figures.

The difference between this year and the same week in 2020, is that deaths are 80% lower, and hospitalisations and those in ICU some 70% lower. Last year at this time there were no vaccines available to the general public and as a consequence the number of hospitalisations grew to an all-time high of 6869 on 1^st February 2021 and 904 in ICU four days later.

Whilst the new Omicron variant is making its way across the world and here in Portugal with record new cases, new data from Our World in Data shows that the death rate per 1 million of population in Portugal is one of the lowest in Europe. Currently only Sweden, Finland, Spain and Cyprus have a lower death rate than Portugal. The current rate is 1.32 deaths per 1 million based on data provided for December 27th 2021.

To help reduce the spread, protect ourselves and others, it is essential that we all follow the advice given by DGS and others by reducing gatherings especially over the New Year and wearing face masks indoors. Remember on 30th, 31^st and January 1, 2022, a limitation of concentrations greater than 10 people in public spaces and public roads will apply, unless they all belong to the same cohabiting household. We can expect this to be enforced by police.

When visiting family and friends (especially those who may be vulnerable) who do not live with you, we ask urge people to follow DGS advice by taking a Covid-19 test, can be a self-test. This will help in reducing the risk of passing on the disease should you be infected.

Yesterday the Minister of Health Marta Temido explained that these high numbers are the “effect of a much more transmissible variant and that it is doubling every eight days”. Given the escalation in the number of new cases, the Minister of Health admits “an enormous pressure” on the health system.

She added that “It’s putting us all to the test and it’s resulting in enormous pressure on the functioning of some of our services, namely the contact lines, epidemiological inquiries, screenings. We are working to give a better response at that level, but the next few days are of enormous pressure on the system”, admits Marta Temido. It is worth noting that with the models we have we will reach 37 thousand cases in the first week of January”, said the minister.

In view of the “overwhelming and tremendous numbers”, the Minister of Health calls on people to “RESTRICT CONTACTS in the face of a highly transmissible variant”.

If, however, you are venturing out on New Year’s Eve, a reminder to do not drink and drive. The police are conducting various New Year operations aimed at road safety, and the last thing that you would wish is to spend time in a police station. With the health services over stretched, we ask everyone to act responsibly, in order to reduce pressure on them.

Apart from Covid-19 which is still with us, we end the year with some good news. The first of these is that the La Palma volcanic eruption is finally over which is a huge relief to those residents there who suffered greatly from this for over 90 days. Further good news in the lead up to New Year’s Eve and Day, is that the weather outlook is for temperatures above average and generally dry. (Yesterday it was 21,6C in Aljezur). This contrasts with same time last year when snow and ice warnings were in place!

With that more optimistic note our team thank you for following and sharing our posts during 2021 and wish you All a Happy and Safe New Year.

Headlines

Covid-19: Omicron variant reached 75% case proportion on Monday

Lisbon, December 28, 2021 (Lusa) – The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes covid-19 disease, reached an estimated proportion of 75% on Monday, according to a report by the National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), released today.

The report on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal indicates that there was an “exponential growth” of probable cases of the Omicron variant, while there was a reduction in the circulation of the Delta variant.

The data indicate that the Ómicron variant is dominant in Portugal (more than 50% of cases) and that, according to the INSA, this “sudden increase in community circulation is parallel to the scenario observed in other countries, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom”.

The report, carried out by the Bioinformatics Nucleus of the Department of Infectious Diseases at INSA, states that to date 24,198 sequences of the genome of the new coronavirus have been analyzed, obtained from samples collected in more than 100 laboratories, hospitals and institutions, representing 303 municipalities of Portugal.

An average of 533 sequences per week have been analyzed since the beginning of June 2021, from samples collected at random in laboratories distributed throughout the 18 districts of mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, covering an average of 129 municipalities per week .

In week 50, from December 13th to 19th, the Omicron worry variant registered a provisional relative frequency of 10.1% (data calculated up to December 14th).

“According to the estimates obtained based on the real-time monitoring strategy of the ‘failure’ in the detection of the S gene, since December 6 there has been an exponential growth in the proportion of probable cases of the Omicron variant, having reached an estimated proportion of 75% on the 27th of December”, says the INSA in the report.

WHO warns on the rapid spread of Omicron

Although slightly less dangerous than Delta, the rapid spread of the Omicron variant will not prevent a large number of hospital admissions, “particularly among the unvaccinated”

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned this Tuesday that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus will result in a “large number of hospitalizations”, even if it turns out to be slightly less dangerous than Delta.

“A rapid increase in Omicron, as we are seeing in several countries, even if combined with a slightly less severe disease, will still result in a large number of hospital admissions, particularly among the unvaccinated,” said Catherine Smallwood, a senior WHO official Europe.

Faced with uncertainty over the new variant first detected in late November in South Africa, countries are vacillating between tight restrictions and a more flexible strategy due to less severe signals from Omicron.

“It is too early to say whether the Omicron wave will be more or less severe than Delta,” Smallwood told the France-Presse news agency.

Smalwood noted that “preliminary data on the first affected populations in Europe”, England, Scotland and Denmark, show that Omicron “may result in a lower risk of hospitalization compared to Delta”.

However, the emergency response specialist urged that these preliminary data be treated “with caution”, because, at the moment, the observed cases are mainly in “young and healthy populations in countries with high rates of vaccination”.

Since the South African authorities raised the alert, Omicron has been detected in at least 110 countries, including Portugal, where it is already dominant.

Covid-19 Vaccinations one year on

On 27^th December 2020, Dr. António Sarmento, a 65-year-old infectious disease physician at the Hospital de São João, in Porto, received the first dose of the vaccine against covid-19 in Portugal.

The doctor recalls the moment, leaves an appeal and reminds that as long as the virus is not controlled worldwide, no country is safe.

As of December 27, 2021 nearly 8.7 million people have been vaccinated and more than 2.5 million have received the booster dose.

The first to be vaccinated were health professionals and workers and users of nursing homes.

The vaccination process was not linear and even had some controversies in between, from batch delivery failures to improper vaccination problems – such as, for example, healthy people who received the vaccine before their time.

These cases led to the resignation of Francisco Ramos, on February 3, replaced by Vice Admiral Gouveia e Melo, who coordinated the vaccination plan against covid-19 until September, when the task force was dissolved.

On April 21, the criteria for decreasing age began to be applied, although people with diseases considered to be at risk continued to have priority. It is also at this stage that self-scheduling came into operation.

By October reached a record: 85% of the population who had already received two doses. Portugal thus became the country with the most vaccines administered per head of population in the world.

The figures show that Covid-19 vaccination has succeeded in avoiding many encountering serious illness and saved lives.

Covid-19

Covid-19 DGS Situation report 28^th December 2021

Confirmed: 1.303.291 (+ 17,172 / + 1.34 %)

Admitted: 936 (+ 22 / + 2.41 %)

Admitted to ICU: 152 (+ 2 / + 1.33 %)

Deaths: 18.909 (+ 19 / + 0.10 %)

Recovered: 1.169.841 (+ 8226 / + 0.71 %)

Active cases: 114,541 (+8927 /+8.4%)

Trends

The number of new cases is a new maximum since the beginning of the pandemic -, Health

Number of deaths higher than yesterday and above last week’s daily average

Small increase in those in ICU

Large increase in active cases both in number and percentage terms for one day.

CONTEXT AND COMPARISON TO 2020

By comparison the daily tests registered yesterday on 27^th December were just over 234,000 compared TO ONLY 17,441 on the same day last year – a difference of 13 times!.

The number of deaths, those in hospital and in ICU, stood at 58, 2967 and 503 respectively compared to the same day last year. Hospitalisation increased by 97 on 28^th Dec 2020 compared to the previous day

More details here:

https://covid19.min-saude.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/666_DGS_boletim_20211228.pdf

Testing Lisbon Airport

Newsroom, December 27, 2021 (Lusa) – The laboratory stations at Lisbon airport had “high” waiting times between the 24th and 26th, due to the increased demand for tests to covid-19, according to ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, which ensures reinforcement of resources.

“Due to a strong increase in demand for covid-19 tests, associated with a reduction in the supply of the remaining test sites, between December 24th and 26th, the laboratory stations at Lisbon airport had high waiting times”, added the company.

According to ANA, “the situation is being monitored and resources reinforced”.

“However, and with a view to ensuring the need for passenger testing, and a further increase in demand being expected next weekend, Synlab’s laboratory at Lisbon Airport will be exclusive to ticket holders, between the 30th. December and January 2nd”, guaranteed the company.

According to ANA, “the appointments that have already been made will, of course, be complied with”.

Restaurants in the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto with expected losses close to 50% on New Year’s Eve

Since it was possible to carry out self-tests, there have been some reschedulings, but in general the scenario has been one of cancellations, according to the National Association of Restaurants (PRO.VAR)

Restaurants in the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto regions should have “breaks in the order of 50%” on New Year’s Eve, said this Tuesday the president of PRO.VAR – National Restaurant Association, Daniel Serra.

According to Daniel Serra, the situation in the catering sector is “unsafe” and entrepreneurs “are not sure if they are going to have a full house”.

“The situation is not good. What was expected at the end of the year was that the month of December would be very good, but it’s been very bad. These last days have been quite weak due to the confusion that exists around the mandatory tests [from screening to covid-19]”, he observed.

According to the president of PRO.VAR, “breaks will be in the order of 50% in the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto” on New Year’s Eve, even though the possibility of carrying out self-tests to run covid-19 has led to some rebooking of reservations.

“From the moment the possibility of carrying out self-tests was expanded, there were re-schedulings again, but there have been many cancellations,” he said.

Daniel Serra also noted that, given the period of containment and the increase in the number of new cases, the catering sector is recording “many losses” and that the situation at the moment “is not very reliable”.

In a letter sent to the Secretaries of State for Tourism and Commerce, to which Lusa had access today, PRO.VAR “urgently” requests the creation of an “inter-ministerial crisis office where measures to save the sector are determined” to resolve various problems related to support that were, according to the association, “insufficient or even non-existent”.

“The allocation of more than one billion, which became available because it is no longer used at TAP, will be essential for the allocation of immediate support to the restaurant sector. We are certain that this amount will be decisive in saving the majority of companies and preventing redundancies workers”, observes the association.

Covid-19: SNS24 Line Set Sunday Daily Test Request Record

Lisbon, December 27, 2021 (Lusa) – On Sunday, the SNS24 line beat the daily record of requests for tests to covid-19 issued, with a total of 22,103, according to data from the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS).

According to the same data, the number of requests for testing to covid-19 issued by the SNS24 Line on Sunday surpassed the previous record of January 21st of this year (16,672).

During this month of December (days 1 to 26), 246,709 test requests to covid-19 were issued by SNS24, of which 101,077 in the last week.

“Regarding the issuance of provisional declarations of prophylactic isolation (DPIP), this December (days 1 to 26) were issued by the SNS 24 178,481, of which 79,256 in the last week”, refers to the SPMS note, adding that only on Sunday 14,297 declarations were issued.

SPMS pointed out that in recent days there has been a “very strong growth in demand for the SNS24 line”, which “has been following the evolution of the current pandemic context”.

The note also refers that, “to reinforce the quality of the service, a series of measures were taken, in close coordination with the DGS and the operator Altice Portugal”, including the opening of new ‘call centers’ “to benefit from resources available in other regions”, pointing out the case of Coimbra, opened last week, and beja, which will open in January.

It also points to “training and hiring new professionals”, making a total of 5,000, mostly nurses, but also psychologists, pharmacists, dentists, administrative staff, Portuguese Sign Language interpreters and sixth-year medical students, and “diversification categories of professionals and their respective tasks to optimize service on the line”.

Covid-19. Portuguese Embassy in Praia suspends consular assistance after suspected cases

Service to the public is temporarily suspended at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in Praia, capital of Cape Verde, after suspected cases of covid-19 among employees, was announced this Monday.

“All users of the Consular Section of the Portuguese Embassy in Praia are informed that, with suspicion of positive cases of covid-19 among embassy employees and wishing to avoid a contagion situation for the community, the public service for all services is temporarily suspended while the necessary procedures to detect possible cases of infection are adopted,” the embassy announced in a press release.

The same source assured that the services of the Consular Section will be resumed soon, while all the appointments made (Portuguese matters and visa applications) will be rescheduled in due course.

Cape Verde has registered an increase in new positive cases of covid-19 in recent days, with peaks since September, with an emphasis on 148 on Saturday, currently having 523 active cases, a total of 39,072 cases accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic, 38,172 recovered cases and 351 deaths.

In terms of vaccination, the country has about 84% of adults with the first dose, has already surpassed 70% with full vaccination and started on December 16th to vaccinate children between 12 and 17 years old, with a rate already around of 45%.

Infarmed authorizes stem cell treatment in severe cases of covid

Therapy already used in European countries and in the USA revealed that these cells can reverse scenarios of hyper-inflammation and helped several seriously ill patients to recover.

The Infarmed authorized the company Crioestaminal to develop an experimental therapy to umbilical cord cells as the basis for the treatment of severe cases of infection by SARS-CoV-2, advanced Tuesday the Public newspaper.

The drug, which still does not have authorization to be marketed, can now be made available to hospitals that request it. The therapy is already being used in several countries, being the target of research since 2020.

As he explained to the same newspaper, Francisco Santos, director of cell therapies at Crioestaminal , concluded that these cells “were able to reverse the scenarios of hyper-inflammation and many patients recovered”. “There is already an extensive list of scientific publications about this and throughout 2020 mesenchymal cells ended up entering clinical trials in several countries in Europe and in the USA “, he added.

It should also be noted that one of the advantages of the treatment lies in the fact that there is no biological compatibility between the cells and the recipient patient.

Travel

TAP admits cancellations due to “peak casualties” due to covid-19

The Portuguese air carrier told DN that “some flights” had been cancelled due to a “peak of casualties”, but did not reveal how many. According to Lusa, there will have been more than a hundred.

TAP cancelled “some flights” due to “peak casualties” as a result of covid-19, not revealing how many. In response to a request for information from the DN, the company’s advisory reports: “TAP has been adjusting the operation to face a peak in crew casualties (mostly due to covid), which has already led to the cancellation of some flights, with passengers being accommodated on other flights of the company or partner companies”.

The Portuguese airline does not indicate how many flights were effectively cancelled. According to the accounts of the news agency Lusa, through the data available on the website of ANA Aeroportos Portugal, there will have been more than a hundred.

At Humberto Delgado Airport, in Lisbon, 23 flights were cancelled this Monday, 21 from TAP; Sunday, there were 20 cancellations, 19 from TAP; while on Saturday, 19 flights, 15 from TAP, had already been cancelled and, on Friday, 19 flights, 17 from the Portuguese carrier, were cancelled.

At Sá Carneiro Airport, in Porto, this Monday there are 13 cancelled flights; Sunday, four; Saturday 5th and Friday 7th, the vast majority of the Portuguese carrier.

At Faro Airport, only one flight did not take place and that was TAP.

Covid-19: Finland blocks entry for unvaccinated foreign travellers

Foreign travellers not vaccinated against covid-19 will not be able to enter Finland from today, even with a negative test, the government announced, to curb the wave of the Omicron variant.

Only foreign travellers with a negative covid-19 test and proof of complete vaccination or recovery from illness can enter the country, the Finnish Interior Ministry added at the end of an executive meeting.

A spokesman for the border guard quoted by French news agency France-Presse confirmed that foreign nationals will be denied entry unless they appear on a list of exceptions (Finland residents, essential workers, diplomats, etc.).

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 29th December 2021

From our colleague in the Azores

22^nd December

67 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 42 in São Miguel, 16 in Terceira, five in Santa Maria and four in Graciosa, resulting from 1,281 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 26 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, seven in the municipality of Povoação, six in the municipality of Lagoa, two in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and one in the municipality of Ribeira Grande.

In Terceira, 16 new positive cases were registered, five in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 11 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

In Santa Maria, five positive cases were registered corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto and in Graciosa there are also four new cases corresponding to the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Admissions:

There are 10 inpatients, nine at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit) and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital, in Angra do Heroísmo.

Recoveries:

37 recoveries were registered.

23^rd December

92 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 78 in São Miguel, six in Terceira, three in Graciosa, three in Faial, one in Pico and one in Flores, resulting from 1,634 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 45 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 15 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 14 in the municipality of Lagoa and four in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo.

In Terceira, six new positive cases were registered, three in each of the two councils on the island.

In Graciosa there are three new positive cases, corresponding to the municipality of Santa Cruz, as well as in Faial, which also registers three new positive cases, corresponding to the municipality of Horta.

Pico registers a new positive case in the municipality of São Roque and in Flores there is also a new positive case in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Admissions:

There are 10 inpatients, nine at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit) and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital, in Angra do Heroísmo.

Recoveries:

14 recoveries were registered.

24^th December

61 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 48 in São Miguel, five in Faial, four in Santa Maria, three in Terceira and one in Pico, resulting from 1,181 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 19 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 14 in the municipality of Povoação, nine in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, four in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and two in the municipality of Lagoa.

In Faial there are five new cases in the municipality of Horta and in Santa Maria there are four in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

Terceira registers three new positive cases, two in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and one in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. Pico has a new positive case in the municipality of Lajes.

Admissions:

There are 10 inpatients, nine at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit) and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital, in Angra do Heroísmo.

Recoveries:

23 recoveries were registered.

25^th December

130 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 72 in São Miguel, 36 in Terceira, 16 in Pico, two in Faial, two in Santa Maria, one in Flores and one in Graciosa, resulting from 2,197 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 41 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 11 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, nine in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, eight in the municipality of Povoação and three in the municipality of Lagoa.

Terceira registers 16 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 20 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Pico registers eight new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena, seven in the municipality of Lajes and one in the municipality of São Roque.

In Faial there are two new cases in the municipality of Horta and in Santa Maria there are also two in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

In Flores there is a new positive case in the municipality of Santa Cruz and in Graciosa there was also a new positive case corresponding to the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Admissions:

There are 10 inpatients, nine at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit), and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital, in Angra do Heroísmo.

Recoveries:

24 recoveries were recorded.

Death:

In the last 24 hours, there has been death at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, a 79-year-old man, a victim of covid-19. He was a resident of Lagoa. He was hospitalized since the 15th. The number of deaths in the archipelago now rises to 50, since the beginning of the pandemic.

26^th December

71 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 62 in São Miguel, four in Terceira, three in Santa Maria and two in Pico, resulting from 540 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 42 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, eight in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, eight in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and four in the municipality of Lagoa.

Terceira registers two new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and two in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Pico registers a new positive case in the municipality of Madalena and one in the municipality of Lajes. In Santa Maria there are also three new positive cases in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

Admissions:

There are 11 inpatients, all at Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit).

Recoveries:

36 recoveries were recorded.

27^th December

66 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 31 in Terceira, 28 in São Miguel, five in Pico and two in Graciosa, resulting from 431 tests performed.

Terceira registers 16 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 15 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

In São Miguel, 21 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, four in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, two in the municipality of Lagoa and one in the municipality of Povoação.

Pico registers two new positive cases in the municipality of Lajes, two in the municipality of São Roque and one in the municipality of Madalena.

At Graciosa there are two new positive cases in Santa Cruz.

Admissions:

There are 12 hospitalized patients, all at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (two in the Intensive Care Unit).

Recoveries:

1 recovery has been recorded.

28^th December

189 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, this is a record number since the start of the pandemic. 118 in São Miguel, 36 in Terceira, 33 in Faial, one in Pico and one in Santa Maria, resulting from 1,355 tests performed.

In São Miguel, 84 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 17 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 10 in the municipality of Lagoa, six in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and one in the municipality of Nordeste.

Terceira registers 22 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 14 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Faial registers 33 new cases corresponding to the municipality of Horta.

Santa Maria has a new positive case corresponding to the municipality of Vila do Porto and in Pico there is also a record of a new positive case in the municipality of Lajes.

Admissions:

There are 15 inpatients, all at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, in Ponta Delgada (four in the Intensive Care Unit).

Recoveries:

69 recoveries were registered.

Current situation:

The archipelago currently has 918 active positive cases, 635 in São Miguel, 148 in Terceira, 47 in Faial, 35 in Santa Maria, 26 in Pico, 22 in Graciosa and five in Flores.

All Azores islands in contingency situation from midnight

The nine islands of the Azores will go into a contingency situation due to covid-19 as of Wednesday, and it will be mandatory to present a negative test to access events, revealed today the Secretary of Health.

He has said that the decision to place all the islands in a contingency situation (which had been in force only in São Miguel since the 23rd) was taken by the Government Council, which met on Monday.

“The measures that apply in São Miguel will apply to all the islands of the Azores. Basically, they have to do with the obligation to carry out a test to covid-19 [and present a negative result] to access all sporting, cultural, social and festivities, regardless of whether people have a valid vaccination certificate, they must have a PCR test carried out in the last 72 hours or a rapid test in the last 24 hours” to access events.

Since December 23rd, the island of São Miguel has been in a contingency situation due to the pandemic in the region.

The remaining eight islands (Corvo, Flores, Graciosa, Terceira, Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Santa Maria), which until now were in an alert situation, will go into a contingency situation at 00:00 on Wednesday.

In addition to presenting a negative test to access events, in the contingency situation, the presence of the public is limited to three quarters of the space where the initiative takes place.

Nurseries, kindergartens and centres of occupational activities are also closed, and year-end celebrations, gatherings and the consumption of alcohol on public roads are prohibited.

In commercial spaces, space capacity is limited to one person for every five square metres.

https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/

Pavilhão do Mar in Ponta Delgada welcomes vaccination from January 10th

The Pavilhão do Mar, in Ponta Delgada, Azores, will host the reinforcement of the vaccination against covid-19 of people over 50 years old from January 10th.

Clélio Meneses has said that the vaccination process on the island of São Miguel “will go principally to Portas do Mar”, where the Pavilhão do Mar is located, as of January 10th, both for vaccination by scheduling as for the “open house”, this does not require prior appointments.

Portas do Mar vaccinations will be for people from 50 years old at this stage. There will be an open house and an appointment. The open house is in accordance with the daily limit of people, which will be defined in accordance with the island Health Unit

Clélio Meneses recalled that, currently, the Health Centers in the Azores are already inoculating people over 50 years of age with the booster dose.

Those vaccinated with Janssen (single dose vaccine) can also receive the booster dose regardless of age.

Situation Reports | Safe Communities Portugal - Part 57