Archives: Situation Reports

Situation Reports news and reviews

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 19th January 2022

“Electrão Schools” in the district of Faro have already collected more than 1 ton of electrical equipment

Eight educational establishments in the district of Faro that joined the “Escola Electrão” campaign have already collected 1383 kilos of used electrical equipment this school year, between September and December 2021.

Most of the used electrical equipment collected in the campaign corresponds to small appliances, such as cell phones, computers, microwaves and lamps, which make up a total of 1063 kilos. 236 kilos of batteries and 84 kilos of light bulbs were also collected.

The 11th edition of Escola Electrão, which runs until June, involves 236 schools nationwide. Overall, in this first period, participating schools across the country collected a total of 73 tons of used equipment. The campaign, promoted by Electrão – Waste Management Association, aims to raise awareness of the correct disposal of unused batteries, lamps and electrical equipment.

Each participating school can receive prizes depending on the amount of used batteries, light bulbs and electrical equipment collected. One point is awarded for every 100 kilos of used electrical equipment, 10 kilos of light bulbs or 10 kilos of batteries delivered. For every 10 points accumulated, at the end of the school year, the school receives a gift voucher in the amount of 75 euros to use in the purchase of new electrical equipment.

Over the last 10 editions, the “Escola Electrão” campaign allowed the collection of more than six thousand tons of electrical equipment used in the various participating schools, from north to south of the country.

Faro approves support for the creation of new vacancies in Medicine at UAlg

The measure will allow the creation of 96 vacancies by 2025.

The Faro City Council approved, at a council meeting on 5 January, the allocation of a total amount of 317,090 euros to the University of Algarve (UAlg) to reinforce and expand the vacancies of the integrated master’s degree in Medicine.

This transfer, which results from a program contract signed between UAlg, the Association for the Development of the Academic Centre for Biomedical Research and Training of the Algarve (AD-ABC), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, through the Directorate -General of Higher Education, and the associated municipalities of the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve (AMAL), will allow the increase of up to 96 places in the Medicine course by the year 2025.

The Program Contract «Extending and modernizing the teaching of medicine and biomedical research at the University of the Algarve» provides for the allocation of 6 million euros to the University of the Algarve, over five years (from 2021 to 2025), and is also financed by the Ministry of Health. Science, Technology and Higher Education and by AMAL.

For this purpose, the municipality will contribute with annual transfers in the amount of 63,418 euros.

According to the municipality of Faro, «the signature of this program-contract embodies another additional investment by the municipality in promoting quality in health care provided to the population, as well as in the reinforcement of educational offers within the scope of higher education».

Algarve Municipal Libraries provide free access to digital newspapers and magazines

As of January 18, readers of the Intermunicipal Network of Libraries of the Algarve (BIBAL) will have free access to more than 7,000 online publications. The availability of this service, acquired by AMAL – Comunidade Intermunicipal do Algarve, represented an investment of around 20 thousand euros.

BIBAL readers will have access to the PressReader service, a digital platform that gives access to online newspapers and magazines. There are more than 7,000 national and foreign publications that, through this innovative and free service, can be read at the moment or downloaded for later reading.

PressReader is a digital platform, distributed in Portugal by WECUL, which provides direct and full access to periodicals from more than 150 countries and in more than 60 languages, through an interface with several functionalities, including searches by title, country, language or category. Access to the platform is possible in several ways, with library user credentials. All information is available at each of the municipal libraries.

The mayors of the Algarve believe that this initiative universalises and democratizes access to information and knowledge, while encouraging reading.

In a statement, AMAL recalls that the acquisition of this service was unanimously approved at the Intermunicipal Council meeting in July last year. «On the occasion, all the presidents recognized the importance of the measure for the communities in the region and decided to support this expense, thus guaranteeing the availability of the service in the network of municipal libraries belonging to BIBAL (with the exception of Aljezur, the only municipality that has not yet has a library).

Access to the platform is possible in several ways, including a Whatsapp, using the library’s user credentials. All information is available at each of the municipal libraries.

 

The Overseas Situation Report Tuesday 18 January 2022

by Mike Evans

“Patience is not the ability to wait but how you act while you are waiting”  

Joyce Meyer

With the latest variant still moving across the world, in this report we look at the situation in Australia and closer to home, France.

In Australia, where the main news the world has been seeing is that the Tennis star, Novak Djockovic has been deported and England’s cricketers once again surrendered in the latest Ashes test match, the Covid situation has taken a very different path to what we all saw in 2021.

As 2021 drew to a close, many Australians were cautiously optimistic that the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic was behind them. The country had surpassed ambitious vaccine targets, meaning its rolling lockdowns could cease, both internal and international borders would reopen, and as Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared, it was now possible to “live with this virus.”

But as Australia moved to change course on its pandemic strategy, the highly transmissible Omicron variant hit. In just over a month, cases have risen from around 1,000 a day to more than 100,000 a day. Hallmarks of the pandemic that Australia mostly avoided began to emerge. The health system is buckling. Many supermarket shelves are bare as sick workers stay home.

Despite this surge in cases, most Australian states and territories are holding the line and allowing the virus to circulate in their communities, which critics have labelled the “let it rip” approach. For much of the pandemic, Australia aimed for zero Covid cases, employing regular lockdowns (the country’s second-largest city, Melbourne, was in lockdown for more than 260 days) and extremely strict border policies. And it worked — the nation’s Covid mortality rate has been among the lowest in the world.

But as the pandemic ground on, the government decided restrictions could start to be dramatically loosened when a state or territory vaccinated 80 percent of its over-16 population. All states and territories achieved this in the final months of last year.

Practises that had become part of everyday life, such as wearing masks in certain settings and checking into venues via government apps for contact tracing purposes, were soon relaxed. (Australia did require that international arrivals be vaccinated, leading to the Novak Djokovic saga.)

According to Alexandra Martiniuk, a professor and epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, she thinks the timing of Australia’s U-turn was not ideal.

“[Some states and territories] really got down to very few restrictions, just as there was the emergence of Omicron.  Scientists, other experts and some in the public were asking, ‘Hey, is this smart? We actually don’t know omicron well enough. Should we be doing this?’”  she said. “We should have changed our plan when we saw Omicron arrive. … We barged straight into a dark room without knowing what was in there.”

Like many countries around the world, Omicron has hit Australia hard. Some states and territories that once went weeks without a case now have thousands or tens of thousands of cases each day.  The number of daily deaths has jumped from around 10 in December to more than 50.

And the strain has been felt across the country.  First, testing systems quickly became overwhelmed. People waited for hours at PCR testing facilities, with results delayed for days. Many pharmacies and shops have run out of rapid tests and those that still have some face accusations of price gouging.

Some convenience stores and restaurants have been selling rapid tests via the UberEats app at inflated prices, and one Australian has created a website to help people use a live map of their towns and cities to find where a rapid test may still be available.

With cases spiking so quickly, workers of all stripes have needed to take time off because of sickness or to meet isolation requirements, affecting many industries and supply chains. Supermarkets are short of certain products. Trains in Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, are running on a reduced timetable due to a lack of staff. And KFC restaurant outlets are facing a chicken shortage.

“Omicron is a beast. Every country is dealing with it, and it never would have been perfect [in Australia]. … But what we could have done is bend the curve — slow the number of people who got it,” Martiniuk says. In the face of Omicron, states and territories have reintroduced some limited Covid restrictions, such as mask mandates and banning singing and dancing at certain venues.

The one state to have dodged the omicron surge is Western Australia, which has maintained a hard border with other states and territories. It remains almost free of Covid but has faced criticism for not allowing fellow Australians to enter, even for compassionate reasons.

The prime minister and other state and territory leaders point to Australia’s vaccination rate as a key reason why the country will weather the omicron storm. Around 77 percent of the overall population has received two doses of the vaccine, compared with around 62 percent in the United States. And the Australian government often trumpets another number — around 92 percent of the over-16 population has received two vaccine doses.

Amid criticism about the government’s response to the omicron surge, the prime minister maintains Australia is well-placed to get through to the other side. “You’ve got two choices here: You can push through, or you can lock down. We are pushing through,” Morrison told reporters. “It’s going to be tough. The whole pandemic has been tough, and Australians have shown resilience, patience, and determination. … The best possible medical advice is to push through.” Omicron “has been moving at a very quick rate compared to our early estimates. … What we’ve also seen is the severity of it being far less than perhaps was anticipated.”

Australia’s initial tough approach toward Covid, followed by its slow but successful vaccine rollout, have meant the number of deaths attributed to the virus has been around 2,500, compared with around 846,000 in the U.S. Time will tell which track is the right one.

Meanwhile a little closer to home in France, the Government announced that citizens of the country, as well as foreigners, are now subject to tightened Coronavirus rules. The authorities revealed that since January 15, the rules for access to all kinds of services, including restaurants, museums, theatres, sports activities, and accommodation facilities, among others, will be tightened.

The tightened rules follow the announcement on the validity of vaccination certificates. The French authorities disclosed that everyone over the age of 18 would have to receive a booster shot in order for their vaccination certificate to remain valid. The requirement to receive the booster dose will apply to all persons who have completed their vaccination more than seven months ago.

Thus, in line with the new rules, it means that as soon as the decision enters into force, all those who have received their last vaccine dose over seven months ago but haven’t received a booster dose yet will be considered as unvaccinated.

Taking into account that access to the majority of places and activities is only permitted to those who are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease, those who don’t receive their additional vaccine dose will be denied entry to most places, including the ones mentioned above.

It has been explained that children between the age of 12 and 18 are exempt from the requirement to receive a booster dose, meaning that their two-dose vaccine will remain valid. In contrast, children under 12 are not required to receive any vaccine dose.

“To enter French territory, The COVID certificate is mandatory for everyone over the age of 12 years and two months,” the statement of the French government reads. Apart from the vaccination requirement, travellers over the age of 12 are also required to present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test, taken within 48 or 24 hours, respectively. Nonetheless, it has been explained that the pre-entry testing requirement does not apply to travellers who reach France from a European Union Member State or a Schengen Area country.

Previously, France eased its entry rules for travellers from the UK. In line with the new rules that started being effective on January 14, all UK travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease can enter France without having to provide a compelling reason for their trip. However, everyone is still required to meet the national rules while in France, including the presentation of vaccination certificates when attending different places and activities.

These new rules which were approved by parliament on the 15th have not come without protests. Over 100,000 people protested on the streets of Paris and other cities last week to oppose what they called the government’s plans to restrict the rights of the unvaccinated.

In the French capital, Paris, protesters – many of them unmasked – braved the cold and the rain on Saturday, carrying placards that read “Truth”, “Freedom” and “No to vaccine pass”. Among the larger demonstrations, about 6,000 demonstrators turned out in Toulon, while in Montpellier police used tear gas during clashes with protesters.

Until the next time Stay Safe.

Information and Resources:

Total Cases Worldwide – 329,022,171

Total Deaths Worldwide – 5,559,048

Total Recovered Worldwide – 267,839,370 

Total Active Cases Worldwide – 55,623,753 (16.9% of the total cases) 

Total Closed Cases Worldwide – 273,398,418

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

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/9/more-than-100000-rally-in-france-against-covid-vaccine-rules

 

The Overseas Situation Report Friday 14 January 2022

by Mike Evans

“It ain’t over ’til it’s over”

– Yogi Berra

As the Covid Pandemic enters its third year, this report is looking at the issue surrounding the phrase long Covid and its effects on people many months later. We also look at the latest information from around the world on the Omicron variant and how it is now the major variant around the world.

For some people when the first signs of Covid 19 appeared, they, along with a lot of others who were sceptical of the news media, did not believe that the virus was any worse than the common flu virus and the consequences of catching it were not really worth worrying about.

This all changed when the number of people being admitted to hospitals across the world started to increase massively, and then when the death tolls started to mount, people finally started to realise that this virus was not like a common flu virus. Whilst many people got over it quickly some didn’t and the term Long Covid started to hit the headlines.

According to new research into this issue, Long COVID “brain fog” shares features with “chemo brain”. The “brain fog” reported by some people after COVID-19 shows striking similarities to the condition known as “chemo brain” – the mental cloudiness some people experience during and after cancer treatment, according to new research.

People who had COVID-19 “frequently experience lingering neurological symptoms, including impairment in attention, concentration, speed of information processing and memory,” similar to patients with cancer therapy-related cognitive impairment that is known to involve inflammation of the brain.

Among 63 patients with so-called long COVID, the researchers found high CCL11 levels in the 48 with lingering cognitive symptoms, but not in the 15 without cognitive issues. They speculate that treatments showing promise for cancer therapy-related cognitive impairment might be helpful for COVID-19 patients with similar problems. But they would need to be tested specifically for long COVID. The World Health Organisation defines long Covid as ongoing symptoms “three months from the onset of Covid-19”. In December, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that more than 1.3 million people in the UK had symptoms for four weeks or more after Covid-19, of whom 892,000 people (70%) had symptoms that persisted for at least 12 weeks, and 506,000 (40%) for at least one year. Dr Melissa Heightman, who leads the University College London hospital specialist long Covid clinic says that breathlessness, fatigue, cough, myalgia, chest pain, headache, “brain fog” and palpitations are most commonly reported. But many other symptoms may be present.

The situation in the UK has gotten so bad that 90 dedicated long Covid clinics have been established, but research and data are needed to inform patient services in real time. The aim of these clinics is to get more understanding of long Covid and to address and transform existing integrated care pathways. Another study, which involves a trial to evaluate a community-based, comprehensive MRI scan to rule out multi-organ impairment caused by Covid-19 and digitally enhanced rehabilitation, including tailored information and recovery plans, and connection to relevant specialists through an app, which will inform future care. A further trial will repurpose existing drugs, including antihistamines (loratadine and famotidine), anticoagulants (rivaroxaban) and anti-inflammatories (colchicine) to measure effects of three months’ treatment on long Covid symptoms, mental health, return to work and other important outcomes.

It is early days to see what results these specific trials will produce but we hope that by research we can get a better understanding of the long-term effects of this virus. We will return to this subject in the future once more data is available.

Meanwhile, here is a roundup of world news regarding the pandemic. The World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday that repeating booster shots of original COVID-19 vaccines was not a viable strategy for new variants.

The health body pushed for new shots that provide better protection from transmission. “A vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable,” a WHO vaccine advisory group said.

Meanwhile, Pfizer said this week that its vaccine jointly produced with German firm BioNTech can be given along with its pneumonia vaccine. The company tested its pneumonia shot along with a third dose of COVID vaccine in a trial of 570 participants.

Hong Kong will soon feel the negative effects of stricter quarantine curbs on air crew, with cargo traffic and implicitly — the supply of goods into the city — set to plummet, Chief Executive Carrie Lam told legislators on Wednesday.

Lam said Hong Kong already had the toughest restrictions against imported infections and it was difficult to tighten them further.

The Chinese city of Tianjin has started a new round of mass testing on all its 14 million residents after 97 cases of the omicron variant were discovered in initial screenings that began Sunday. On Wednesday, residents were ordered to remain where they were until all test results were received, the Xinhua News Agency said.

Indonesia has opened its coronavirus booster campaign to the public as the country records rising infections driven by the omicron variant. The free shots will be given to the elderly and at-risk residents as a priority but will be available to everyone who received their second dose six months previously.

South Korea on Wednesday greenlit the use of the Novavax COVID-19 jab and was gearing up to distribute the first of Pfizer’s antiviral oral drug, as the country turns to additional pharmaceutical tools amid the omicron threat. At least 21,000 of Pfizer’s pills, called Paxlovid, will reach South Korea on Thursday, with an additional 10,000 more expected to arrive by the end of January, the health ministry said.

The pills will be used in treatments for more than 1,000 people per day from Friday, the ministry added. Unvaccinated people will not be allowed to use public transport in the Philippine capital of Manila, the transport department said on Wednesday. Individuals with medical conditions that prevent their full inoculation will be exempt after producing a medical certificate. Meanwhile, unvaccinated people who need to buy essential goods or access essential services may be allowed to ride public transport if they have a health pass from their community officials or other proof to justify travel, the department added.

In Japan, Tokyo and Osaka are expected to witness a spike in the coronavirus caseload to 4-month highs. Tokyo’s infections are likely to soar to 2,000 on Wednesday as the omicron variant gains foothold across the nation, the Fuji News Network reported. In the western prefecture of Osaka there could be 1,700 new cases on Wednesday, Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told the media, nearly three times higher from the day before.

Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry on Wednesday confirmed the Central Asian nation’s first cases of the omicron variant.

The United States is nearing the “threshold” of living with the coronavirus, despite the spiking caseload and record-high hospitalizations, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Anthony Fauci has said. “There’s no way we’re going to eradicate this” virus, he said in an address to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies on Tuesday. But “as omicron goes up and down,” the country will hopefully enter a new phase “where there’ll be enough protection in (the) community, enough drugs available so that when someone does get infected and is in a high-risk group, it will be very easy to treat that person,” Fauci added.

“When we get there, there’s that transition, and we may be on the threshold of that right now,” he said. Fauci also underpinned that with the country reporting almost a million COVID-19 infections a day, over 1,200 daily deaths and some 150,000 people in hospital, “we’re not at that point.”

Mexico reached a record number of daily COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, with 33,626 new confirmed cases.

In Colombia, the waiting time for booster shots has been reduced to four months. “Everyone aged 18 and over who has had both doses, or one dose in cases like Janssen, can now have their booster doses after four months instead of six,” President Ivan Duque said in a video message on Tuesday. He also added that people who have contracted the virus can get their jab 30 days after their isolation ends instead of six months after.

In Bulgaria, new cases were at a record high of 7,062 on Wednesday, spurred by omicron. The Balkan nation, which is the European Union’s least inoculated member state, saw the previous peak in October amid the delta outbreak.  About 3,000 anti-vaccine demonstrators attempted to storm the Bulgarian parliament on Wednesday and clashed with police officers. This came as protesters against the country’s health pass rallied in downtown Sofia.

Daily coronavirus cases in Austria reached a record of 18,427 on Wednesday, newspaper Kronen Zeitung said. The rise comes amid a spread of the highly virulent omicron variant.

Germany’s top civil and criminal court, the Federal Court of Justice, has ruled that commercial property tenants can be entitled to lower rents if they have been affected by a coronavirus lockdown. The court said the reduction would not be at a single level for every business — with all the circumstances of individual cases to be taken into account.

The Institute Pasteur private foundation in France said Wednesday it predicts omicron cases will peak in mid-January, with a peak in hospitalizations later this month. France recorded a daily high of nearly 370,000 new cases on Tuesday, with President Emmanuel Macron vowing to limit public activities for the unvaccinated.

The government in Tunisia announced Wednesday it would enact new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. These new measures include a ban on gatherings and a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The curfew begins on Thursday and will remain in place for at least two weeks. Critics say the measures are intended to silence dissent towards President Kais Saied’s government. The opposition Ennahda Movement said Wednesday it would hold a demonstration on Friday against Saied, defying the rules.

Until the next time Stay Safe.

Total Cases Worldwide – 318,056,163

Total Deaths Worldwide – 5,533,524

Total Recovered Worldwide – 263,183,261

Total Active Cases Worldwide – 49,339,378 (15.5% of the total cases) 

Total Closed Cases Worldwide – 268,716,785

Information and Resources:

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

https://beta.dw.com/en/coronavirus-digest-germany-daily-cases-hit-record-levels/a-60394417

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/12/long-covid-trial-britain-short-term-virus

 

 

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 12th January 2022 

By Daniel Fernandes

Covid-19 update 

There were 10,699 new Covid-19 cases, 9,059 recoveries and 6 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report, which was published a week ago. Once again, the vast majority of new Covid-19 cases were locally transmitted.

On Wednesday, there were 1,210 new Covid-19 cases (55 imported cases & 299 cases of local transmission) and 1,544 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 61, 2 of whom were in intensive care.

On Thursday, there were 1,665 new Covid-19 cases (61 imported cases & 1,604 cases of local transmission) and 649 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 65, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

On Friday, there were 1,690 new Covid-19 cases (61 imported cases & 1,629 cases of local transmission), 699 recoveries and 2 deaths. A 56-year-old male patient, who was not vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. And a 71-year old male patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, also died with Covid-19 while staying at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital increased to 69, although the number of patients in intensive remained the same as the day before.  

On Saturday, there were 1,393 new Covid-19 cases (124 imported cases & 1,269 cases of local transmission), 683 recoveries and 1 death. A 65-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 79, 2 of whom were in intensive care. 

On Sunday, there were 1,260 new Covid-19 cases (51 imported cases & 1,209 cases of local transmission), 703 recoveries and 1 death. An 85-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 83, 1 of whom was in intensive care.

On Monday, there were 1,592 new Covid-19 cases (27 imported cases & 1,565 cases of local transmission), 3,412 recoveries and 2 deaths. A 78-year-old male patient (who had been inoculated against Covid-19) and an 85-year-old female patient (who had not been vaccinated against Covid-19) died with Covid-19. Both patients had pre-existing conditions. The number of patients in hospital increased to 85, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

And on Tuesday, there were 1,889 new Covid-19 cases (44 imported cases & 1,845 cases of local transmission) and 1,369 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 94, 3 of whom were in intensive care.

There were 8,926 active cases on Tuesday, of which 276 had been imported while the remaining 8,650 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 35,840 cases, 26,772 recoveries and 142 deaths.

As of Tuesday, there were 69 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 8,763 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 94 patients in hospital, 3 of whom in intensive care.

On the same day, there were 1,087 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 23,632 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 4,147 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, 322,242 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 15h30).

The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 1,835 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it had received 80,872 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 20 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it has received 4,027 calls.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/05/madeira-hoje-com-mais-1210-casos-e-61-internados-por-causa-da-covid-19/ 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/06/1665-novos-casos-de-infeccao-por-sars-cov-2-esta-quinta-feira-na-ram/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/07/1690-novos-casos-esta-sexta-feira-duas-mortes-8963-casos-activos-de-covid-19/ 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/08/ram-aproxima-se-dos-dez-mil-casos-activos-de-covid-19-hoje-houve-mais-uma-morte/ 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/09/madeira-ultrapassa-dez-mil-casos-activos-de-covid-19-e-atinge-140-mortes/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/09/gr-da-conta-de-mais-uma-morte-na-ram-associada-ao-coronavirus/ 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/10/covid-19-continua-galopante-no-arquipelago-da-madeira/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/10/mais-uma-morte-por-covid-19-no-mesmo-dia-um-homem-de-78-anos/ 

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/10/morreu-mais-uma-doente-com-covid-19-na-ram-ja-sao-141/

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/11/1889-novos-casos-de-covid-19-hoje-94-pessoas-internadas-no-hospital/

Hospital visits suspended for 10 days

On January 7th, hospital visits to all Regional Health Service facilities were suspended for a period of 10 days. This was due to the thousands of active Covid-19 cases the Region has been facing.

 https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/154833/SESARAM_suspende_visitas_hospitalares_durante_10_dias

More than 150 Covid-19 cases in schools

It was announced that more than 150 people (students, teaching and non-teaching staff) from nursery schools and schools throughout the Region had tested positive for Covid-19.

Covid-19 outbreak onboard Portuguese Navy corvette

There is a Covid-19 outbreak onboard NRP António Enes, a Portuguese Navy corvette that has been deployed on patrol in Madeira to replace another vessel that had experienced a mechanical issue. Rapid antigen tests had been performed on all sailors. As a result, 35 sailors were found to be infected with Covid-19 while 34 tests came back negative.

The corvette is currently docked in Funchal and the sailors who tested positive have been isolated onboard from the remaining sailors. As such, there has not been an urgent need to move the sailors to dedicated hotels.

The infected sailors who are symptomatic have been facing light symptoms such as sore throats and coughs. All sailors are vaccinated against Covid-19 and had tested negative for Covid-19 before the start of the deployment.  

https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/amp/surto-com-35-infetados-a-bordo-de-corveta-da-marinha-portuguesa-na-madeira

Region produced nearly 200 tonnes of Covid-19 waste

The Madeira Region produced 199 tonnes of Covid-19 waste (face masks, gloves and personal protection equipment) in the first 11 months of 2021. In 2020, the Region had produced 169 tonnes of Covid-19 waste.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/154933/Cerca_de_199_toneladas_de_lixo_covid-19

Covid-19 vaccination update

On Sunday, nearly 80 children (aged 5-11) were inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine in Porto Santo. Pedro Ramos, Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary, was pleased with this development and, informed that 480 booster shots had been provided and that 800 people would be insulated on Monday.

https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/155034/Covid-19_Vacinadas_hoje_80_criancas_no_Porto_Santo

Power cut

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

FUNCHAL

January 13th – 09h00 to 11h30 

– Rua da Carne Azeda (numbers 68 to 115A)

January 14th – 09h00 to 12h00

– Caminho de Santo António (numbers 206 to 315)

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/2022/01/12/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-3-2022/

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 12th January 2022

Introduction

Good morning – Over the last 10 days we have seen large daily increases in new Covid-19 cases as well as an increase in hospitalisations – the latter however is still 60% lower for the same time last year. As far as the numbers in ICU are concerned, they remain around 150 far below the 567 recorded on the same day last year. There are signs of an increase in the number of deaths, but last week these were still 81% lower for the same week last year. Welcome news yesterday was that there some 43,000 recoveries – a record. We await developments especially whether the transmission rate continues to decrease, and of course the incidence rate which last Monday was 3204.4 for Portugal.

However, I start today with a plea from the hospital services. If you think you have Covid-19 or if you have had a positive self-test, do not, under any circumstances, go to the emergency rooms of hospitals in the Algarve, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve said yesterday.

This is because, there has been great pressure from “completely asymptomatic” patients with Covid-19, which makes it difficult to provide assistance to those who really need urgent treatment.

Although this plea is from one particular hospital, the same situation applies in other hospitals throughout the country. The correct action in these circumstances is to call the SNS 24 help line. It may take some time to get through, but hospitals are under considerable pressure at present and they need their resources to deal with real emergencies.

Yesterday in Novas, Santarém, the Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo (CHMT) suspended from immediate effect visits to patients admitted to hospitals in Abrantes, Tomar and Torres Novas, as a temporary and preventive measure in view of epidemiological developments of covid-19. In a statement, the CHMT stated it was a “preventive measure that aims to further safeguard the safety of sick people who are hospitalized in hospitals, as well as health professionals”. A further example of the pressure on hospitals.

On a different topic, yesterday the tax authority (AT) issued an alert that false emails in the name of the authority are being sent to some taxpayers. These contain an invitation for taxpayers to send “their request for tax refunds so that” so they can “process it as soon as possible”, followed by a malicious ‘link’ where the taxpayer is asked to click. This type of phishing attempt is not unusual this time of the year and are the work of fraudsters trying to obtain financial information such as bank details. Simply delete and do not reply or click on any links.

Positive news is that the European Union (EU) is preparing a proposal that aims to tighten the fight against child sexual abuse content circulating on the internet. The new legislation is expected to be presented in the coming months. According to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, with the new regulation, tech giants would have a legal obligation to “identify, report and remove this content”.

Currently, a provisional law allows technology companies to choose whether or not to pursue reports of content related to child sexual abuse. According to Euronews, the voluntary nature of this regulation means that for six months of 2021 companies stopped reporting these complaints for fear of non-compliance with the new European privacy regulation, introduced at the end of 2020. Let us hope that this new regulation is put in place as soon as possible.

On a similar theme, following a decision by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in November 2021, an Independent Commission has been established to carry out a study on Child abuse (from 0 to 18 years of age) within the Portuguese Catholic Church. Anyone who has suffered this type of situation can and should give their testimony, relying on the team’s professional secrecy and the guarantee of their anonymity.

The commission yesterday set up a website for this purpose asking: “Were you a victim of sexual abuse during your childhood and adolescence (up to the age of 18), practiced by members of the Portuguese Catholic Church or people who work for it?” If so those victims can provide testimony directly to the commission. If you need to contact them or require further information the website is at https://darvozaosilencio.org/   About 50 testimonies have already been validated through an online survey or completed in a phone call”, as at 1830 hrs yesterday.

A reminder that self-scheduling for those age 45 and over for the booster vaccination is now available through the DGS portal.

The Self-scheduling for those age 30 and over, if you were previously given the Janssen /J&J vaccine for the booster vaccination is also available through the DGS portal. There is likely to be a large demand in these age groups so we suggest people to be patient if the system is overloaded.

The process is the same on this link here https://covid19.min-saude.pt/pedido-de-agendamento/

Also a reminder where you can find the current covid 19 measures in place as a result of the last Resolution of the Council of Ministers published 7th January. Our page on the website with these measure is here. Please check here first of all, before asking us questions on our Facebook page as it helps in reducing the large number of enquiries we are receiving.

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/major-incidents/all-risk-municipalities/

With that have a good day and stay Safe.

 

Headlines

Covid-19: Omicron could infect 50% of the European population in the coming weeks

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that more than 50% of Europe’s population will have Covid-19 in the next six to eight weeks. The projection was advanced by Hans Kluge, the regional director of WHO Europe during a press conference this Tuesday.

Hans Kluge recalled that the unvaccinated are six times more likely to need hospitalization than the vaccinated. The specialist noted, however, that the most recent data show that the effectiveness of the vaccine drops after the second dose, but is recovered by the third dose.

Asked about the inequity of vaccination between continents, the specialist considered that there is no contradiction in Europe (which is advancing with reinforcements while in other continents the first dose has not yet reached the majority of the population). Hans Kluge believes that the approach to this issue should not be “one or the other”, but rather promote vaccination on all fronts.

“As long as there is vaccine inequity, the pandemic will not end,” he said. “No country is going to strengthen itself [to the point of exiting] out of the pandemic alone.” The regional director acknowledged, however, that although Europe has led the donation of vaccines to the most impoverished regions, it must increase this effort.

According to the most recent data, Europe reported in the first week of 2022 more than seven million new cases, “more than doubling” the number in two weeks. “Mortality rates remain stable and remain high in countries with many cases and low vaccination coverage.” The Omicron variant has been detected in 50 countries in Europe and Central Asia and is becoming the dominant variant and expanding into the Balkans.

Despite tending to present milder symptoms, Hans Kluge once again underlined that Omicron should not be “underestimated” and that it is highly contagious due to its mutations, and can affect even recovered and vaccinated people. “Infection control remains very important.”

Covid-19 DGS Report 11th January 2022

Confirmed: 1.693.398 (+ 33,340 / + 2.01 %)

Admitted: 1.564 (-24 /-1.51 %)

Admitted to ICU: 153 (-8 /-4.97 %)

Deaths: 19.161 (+ 28 / + 0.15 %)

Recovered: 1.404.786 (+ 43,513 / + 3.20 %)

Active cases: 269,451 (-10,201 /-3.39%)

TRENDS

New cases increase compared to yesterday to over 30,000 – above last week’s daily average

A moderate decrease in hospital admissions after yesterday very large increase

Deaths higher than yesterday and higher than last week’s daily average. Highest daily number since 5th March 2021

Record number of recoveries in a single day

A decrease of those in ICU compared with an increase yesterday and a decrease the day before

COMPARISON 2021

On this same day last year 122 deaths were recorded, and 3983 were in hospital (+213 compared to the previous day and 567 in ICU.

Health

Covid-19. Suspected adverse reaction in 0.1% of the 19.6 million doses administered in the country

In more than 19.6 million doses of the vaccine against covid-19 administered in Portugal, suspected adverse reactions were reported in 0.1% of these inoculations, an average of one complaint per thousand vaccines. There were about 21,500 cases registered by the end of 2021, according to Infarmed.

Most adverse reactions (10,993) are related to the Pfizer/BioNtech (Comirnaty) vaccine, followed by AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), with 6166 reports, Moderna (Spikevax), with 2440, and Janssen, with 1878 cases.

Infarmed stresses, however, that these data “do not allow the comparison of safety profiles between vaccines”, since they were used in different population subgroups (age, gender, health profile, among others) and “in epidemiological periods and distinct contexts”.

Infarmed also emphasizes that, in the case of the 116 notifications of deaths in the elderly, the cause-effect relationship was not demonstrated. “The cases of death occurred in a group of individuals with a median age of 77 years and do not necessarily presuppose the existence of a causal relationship between each death and the vaccine administered, also taking place within the normal patterns of morbidity and mortality of the Portuguese population”.

The report also adds that, of the cases of adverse reactions classified as serious, “about 85% concern situations of temporary incapacity (including absenteeism from work)”.

Covid-19: Hospitals in the Middle Tagus suspend visits to hospitalized patients

Torres Novas, Santarém, January 11, 2022 (Lusa) – The Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo (CHMT) suspended from today visits to patients admitted to hospitals in Abrantes, Tomar and Torres Novas, as a temporary and preventive measure in view of epidemiological developments of covid-19.

In a statement, the CHMT administration states that the three CHMT hospital units will “temporarily suspend hospital visits, as of today”, a “preventive measure that aims to further safeguard the safety of sick people who are hospitalized in hospitals”. CHMT hospitals, as well as health professionals” of the institution.

“Given the epidemiological evolution of the country and the municipalities served by the CHMT, as well as taking into account the alerts that are launched today by the WHO – World Health Organization – about the foreseeable evolution of the pandemic in Europe, the Board of Directors of the CHMT considered it essential the temporary suspension of the possibility of visits”, adds the hospital institution based in Torres Novas, in the district of Santarém.

The decision, which enters into force today, “will be reassessed periodically and according to the evolution of the epidemiological situation”, with the CHMT asking for “understanding and collaboration” from users and their families.

Government predicts 380,000 confined in legislative elections, a total similar to that of presidential elections 

The Government expects that in the January legislative elections there will be a number of confined citizens similar to that of the last presidential elections, around 380,000, the Minister of Internal Administration advanced this Monday.

“We are convinced, at the moment, that we will probably have, at the time of the elections, more or less the same level of people confined that we had in the last presidential elections, in which there were 383,346 confined citizens”, said Francica Van Dunem, in statements to the journalists at the ministry’s premises in Lisbon.

These data were provided by the government official, after meeting with the parties with parliamentary seats on the conditions for voting in the early parliamentary elections on January 30th.

“Regarding this total, there was a very small percentage of people who requested the vote at home, around 4%, that gives a number in the order of seven thousand”, he said.

Van Dunem began by saying that “between 2 and 8 January the average number of people confined was 428,644”, but that the new rules defined by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) – the reduction of the period of isolation and the review of the risk contact concept – “in principle, they will tend to reduce by 30% the weight of people confined because they are infected, and by around 19% the weight of people confined because they are risk contacts”.

The minister also said that the idea that the country would reach the peak of infections by the new Omicron variant “either last week or this week” came out of the Infarmed meeting.

“Even admitting that this is not the case, that there will be some more time, we will probably already be in the downward phase by the time of the elections. The experience gathered from other countries that had this variant before us points to the fact that an exponential rise, reaching the peak, is also followed by an abrupt fall”, he explained. 

More than 2000 nurses asked to leave Portugal since the beginning of the pandemic

In the last year alone [2021], the total number of nurses who expressed an intention to emigrate corresponds to about a third of the new nurses trained annually by Portuguese schools”, says the OE in a statement. The Order of Nurses received 2413 requests for declarations for emigration purposes.

According to the data, 1230 requests were made in 2020 and 913 in 2021, especially in the second half of the last year, “a time when thousands of nurses leave schools for the market”, says the OE. “Thus, while until June [2021] there were 277 requests for the issuance of declarations, between June and December that number rose to 636”, states the OE.

“European countries, which in the last two years have carried out very aggressive recruitment campaigns, to which the OE has warned, continue to be chosen by Portuguese nurses, especially Switzerland, but the United Arab Emirates also receive, from year to year, year, more and more Portuguese professionals”, the order adds.

After Switzerland, Spain and the United Kingdom, despite Brexit, were the main destinations chosen by Portuguese nurses in 2021. 

Portugal has already vaccinated more than 300,000 children against COVID-19

More than 300,000 children aged between 5 and 11 have already started vaccination against COVID-19 in Portugal.

Considering that there are almost 626 thousand users in this age group, approximately 48% of children aged between 5 and 11 have already been vaccinated. It is noteworthy, however, that to date, about 45,000 children are not eligible for vaccination, as they contracted the disease in the last 90 days.

Children who were not vaccinated on these days will have the opportunity to schedule vaccination for the next periods dedicated to paediatric vaccination, starting on February 5th.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in children has been increasing, so the Directorate-General for Health recommends vaccinating children in this age group.

Other news

Independent Commission for the study of Sexual abuses against children in the Portuguese Catholic Church

Pedro Strecht talks about “mission” and undertakes to analyse “everything that could have happened”, from 1950 until now, in terms of abuse committed against children. The Commission says that there is a “clear and unequivocal position” on the part of the Church for the whole truth to be ascertained and it will have access to ecclesiastical archives and all entities responsible for the protection of minors.

From 10 am on Tuesday, a website, a telephone line and all forms of mail (electronic or postal) will be available to collect reports of sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic Church or its collaborators. The field of analysis is gigantic: the cases can have occurred from 1950 to the present, the reports can be made by people of any age and they can also involve both priests and lay people, as long as they are linked to organizations under the responsibility of the Church. The only condition is that the testimonies involve minors, between the ages of 0 and 18, who have been victims of any form of abuse.

The motto is “give a voice to silence” and that is the name of the website (https://darvozaosilencio.org ) which, from now on, will act as a reception point for all complaints. Or rather, “they are not denunciations, but testimonies”, says sociologist Ana Mendes Almeida, who is part of the commission and who will be responsible for the inquiry that will lead to the national study on the situation of sexual abuse practiced by the Church in Portugal. The invitation was made by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP) and, in line with the guidelines given by Pope Francis, Pedro Strecht, the child psychiatrist who presides over the commission really wants to “analyse everything that may have happened in Portugal” in this matter.

With “total autonomy and total trust” on the part of the Portuguese bishops, Pedro Strecht dispels the idea that there is resistance on the part of the Church to investigate one of the darkest chapters in its recent history.

Military numbers fall again in 2021

The number of military personnel in the Armed Forces (FAA) fell again in 2021, according to information obtained by the DN. Despite being still provisional, the data indicate that last year there were 23,347 soldiers in the FAA, 401 less than in 2020.

The evolution recorded by the Branches (Army, Air Force and Navy) shows that, since 2016, there has been an 8% decrease in the number of personnel, with emphasis on the enlisted personnel who fell by about 20% and the sergeants 1.1%, while the officers increased by 9% (plus 515).

At the moment the Portuguese Armed Forces have 5653 officers for 9820 enlisted men – each officer does not have two enlisted men to command. If we add the sergeants to the officers, this number (13,527) is much higher than the 9,820 soldiers in 2021.

“The structure level of an Armed Forces is one officer for every 30 soldiers and one sergeant for every 10 soldiers. Anything less than that is a huge waste. There shouldn’t be any FAA in the world with the approximate framing level. of Portuguese”, underlines Major General Carlos Chaves , secretary general of the recently created Movimento de Militares pela Verdade (MMV) and former advisor for Defence and Security to former Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho.

But the drop in the number of soldiers is even more significant if we go back to 2012, when, according to a balance sheet made by the Ministry of Defence, to which the DN also had access, there were 38,000 soldiers in the Armed Forces. This balance, whose values ​​have been rounded, includes not only the permanent staff and contracted personnel, but also the military in the reserve, hence the numbers do not coincide with those referred to by the Branches.

 

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 12th January 2022

From our colleague in the Azores

5th January 

523 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, with 234 on the island of Terceira, 231 on the island of São Miguel, 33 on the island of Faial, 16 on the island of Flores, six on the island of Pico and three on the island of Graciosa, following 3,521 tests carried out.

The island of Terceira registered 134 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 100 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

On the island of São Miguel, 108 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 51 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 28 in the municipality of Povoação, 16 in the municipality of Lagoa, 16 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and 12 in the municipality of Nordeste.

The island of Faial registered 33 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

On the island of Flores, 14 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Lajes and two in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

The island of Pico registered four new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena and two in the municipality of São Roque.

On the island of Graciosa, three new cases were registered in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Hospitalisations: 

There are 20 patients hospitalised, 16 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (two in Intensive Care), three at the Santo Espírito Santo Hospital of Terceira Island (one in Intensive Care) and one at the Horta Hospital.

Recoveries:  

A total of 391 recoveries were registered.

6th January 

365 new positive cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, with 229 on the island of São Miguel, 78 on the island of Terceira, 41 on the island of Faial, nine on the island of Flores, five on the island of Pico, two on the island of São Jorge and one on the island of Graciosa, following 2,828 tests carried out.

On the island of São Miguel, 126 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 61 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 24 in the municipality of Lagoa, 10 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, six in the municipality of Povoação and two in the municipality of Nordeste.

The island of Terceira registered 60 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 18 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of Faial registered 41 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

On the island of Flores, six new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Lajes and three in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

The island of Pico registered three new positive cases in Lajes, two in the municipality of Madalena. In turn, the island of São Jorge registered two new positive cases in the municipality of Velas and there is a new positive on the island of Graciosa.

Hospitalisations: 

There are 18 patients hospitalised, 15 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (two in Intensive Care), two at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island (one in Intensive Care) and one at the Horta Hospital.

Recoveries:   

A total of 171 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours.

Death:

In the last 24 hours, a 71-year-old man died at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada.

He was a resident in the parish of Rabo de Peixe, municipality of Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island.

After testing positive on the last day of the year, he was hospitalised on January 4th and died yesterday.

The number of deaths registered in the Azores rises to 53, since the beginning of the pandemic.

7th January 

383 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, with 202 on the island of São Miguel, 134 on the island of Terceira, 28 on the island of Faial, 13 on the island of Pico, three on the island of Flores and three on the island of Santa Maria, following 3,874 tests carried out.

On the island of São Miguel, 95 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 44 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 34 in the municipality of Lagoa, 15 on the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, 11 in the municipality of Nordeste and three in the municipality of Povoação.

The island of Terceira registered 102 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 32 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of Faial registered 28 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

The island of Pico registered 12 new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena and one in the municipality of São Roque.

On the island of Flores, three new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Lajes.

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

Hospitalisations:

There are 25 patients hospitalised, 22 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (four in Intensive Care), two at the Horta Hospital and one at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island in Intensive Care.

Recoveries:  

A total of 204 recoveries were registered.

8th January 

411 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, 238 in São Miguel, 113 in Terceira, 46 in Faial, 10 in Pico and four in São Jorge, resulting from 4,119 analyses.

In São Miguel, by municipalities, 111 were registered in Ponta Delgada, 82 in Ribeira Grande, 19 in Lagoa, 15 in Vila Franca do Campo, seven in Povoação and four in Nordeste.

In Terceira, 74 new cases were diagnosed in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 39 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

Faial has 46 new cases in Horta, Pico has five new cases in Madalena, four in São Roque and one in Lajes.

In São Jorge, four new cases were diagnosed in the municipality of Velas.

Admissions:    

26 people are hospitalized, 22 at Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in São Miguel (three in intensive care), three at Hospital da Horta and one at Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island (in intensive care).

Recoveries:    

368 recoveries were recorded.

9th January 

337 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, with 209 on the island of São Miguel, 62 on the island of Terceira, 37 on the island of Faial. 11 on the island of Pico, 11 on the island of Santa Maria, four on the island of Flores and two on the island of São Jorge, following 2,163 tests carried out.

On the island of Sao Miguel, 95 new positive cases were registered in Ponta Delgada, 60 in Ribeira Grande, 22 in Lagoa, 17 in Vila Franca do Campo, 14 in Povoação and one in Nordeste.

The island of Terceira registered 41 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 21 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of Faial registered 37 new cases in the municipality of Horta, while the island of Pico registered eight new cases in the municipality of Lajes and three in the municipality of Madalena. Santa Maria registered 11 new cases in Vila do Porto. The island of Flores registered two new cases in the municipality of Santa Cruz and two in the municipality of Lajes. In turn, the island of São Jorge registered two new cases in the municipality of Velas. The island of Corvo also registered one case.

Hospitalisations:

There are 21 patients hospitalised, 18 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital on the island of São Miguel (two in intensive care), two at the Horta Hospital and one at the Intensive Care Unit of the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira island.

Recoveries:   

A total of 327 recoveries were registered.

10th January 

247 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, with 165 on the island of São Miguel, 51 on the island of Terceira, 14 on the island of Faial, eight on the island of Santa Maria, four on the island of Pico, two on the island of Graciosa, two on the island of São Jorge and one on the island of Flores, following 1,412 tests.

On the island of São Miguel, 84 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 45 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 18 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, 10 in the municipality of Lagoa, four in the municipality of Nordeste and four in the municipality of Povoação.

The island of Terceira registered 23 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 28 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of Faial registered 14 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

On the island of Santa Maria, there are eight new cases in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

The island of Pico registered three new positive cases in the municipality of Madalena and one in the municipality of Lajes.

The island of Graciosa registered two new cases in the municipality of Santa Cruz and the island of São Jorge also registered two new positive cases in the municipality of Velas.

On the island of Flores, three new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Lajes.

Hospitalisations:

There are 24 patients hospitalised, 20 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (three in intensive care), two at the Horta Hospital and two at the Santo Espírito Hopital of Terceira Island.

Recoveries:   

A total of 277 recoveries were registered.

11th January 

268 new positive cases of covid-19 were diagnosed, with 119 on the island of São Miguel, 82 on the island of Terceira, 28 on the island of Faial, 26 on the island of Pico, seven on the island of São Jorge, three on the island of Santa Maria and three on the island of Flores, following 1,316 tests.

On the island of São Miguel, 69 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 27 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 11 in the municipality of Lagoa, seven in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, four in the municipality of Povoação and one in the municipality of Nordeste.

The island of Terceira registered 47 new positive cases in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 35 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.

The island of Faial registered 28 new cases in the municipality of Horta.

The island of Pico registered 20 new positive cases in the municipality of Lajes and six in the municipality of Madalena.

On the island of São Jorge, four new cases were identified in the municipality of Velas and three in Calheta.

On the island of Santa Maria, there are three new cases in the municipality of Vila do Porto.

On the island of Flores, two new cases were registered in the municipality of Santa Cruz and one in the municipality of Lajes.

Hospitalisations:

There are 25 patients hospitalised, 21 of them at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (three in intensive care), two at the Horta Hospital and two at the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island.

Recoveries: 

A total of 337 recoveries were registered.

Current situation: 

The archipelago currently registers 2,615 active positive cases: 1,796 on the island of São Miguel, 483 on the island of Terceira, 222 on the island of Terceira, 54 on the island of Pico, 23 on the island of Santa Maria, 15 on the island of Flores, 15 on the island of São Jorge, six on the island of Graciosa and one on the island of Corvo.

From December 31st, 2020, to January 5th, 2022, 418,394 doses of the vaccine against covid-19 were administered in the Azores, with 85.2% of the population having currently completed primary vaccination, and 44,032 people have already received the booster dose (18.6%).

Vaccination Centres 

The Azores has four vaccination centres open 

As of last Monday, four vaccination centres against Covid-19 have opened, two in São Miguel, in an open house regime, and two on the island of Terceira, by appointment only.

The Portas do Mar vaccination centre, in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, had already reopened on the previous Thursday, in an open house regime, with more than 1,000 doses of vaccines against Covid-19 having been administered in the first day.

As of today, vaccination centres are also open in the municipalities of Ribeira Grande (São Miguel), Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória (Terceira).

In Ribeira Grande, on the island of São Miguel, the vaccination centre will work at the Fernando Monteiro Pavilion, from Monday to Saturday, between 9:00 am and 12:15 pm and between 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

Vaccination with a booster dose against Covid-19 is available, with prior appointment or in an open house regime, for people over 50 years old, as well as flu vaccination for people over 60 years old.

On the island of Terceira, two vaccination centres will operate, but only “with an appointment by the health centres”.

Booster vaccination against Covid-19 will be available in these centres for people over 50 years of age or for those over 18, in the case of the Janssen vaccine, as well as first doses for people over 12 years of age.

Those over 60 can also be vaccinated against the flu in these spaces.

In Angra do Heroísmo, the vaccination centre will work again in the multipurpose pavilion of Vinha Brava, from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 7:00 pm.

In Praia da Vitória, vaccination takes place in the martial arts pavilion, next to the Municipal Stadium, from Monday to Friday, between 8:15 am and 2:15 pm.

The Portas do Mar vaccination centre, in Ponta Delgada, is open from Monday to Saturday, between 9 am and 7 pm.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 12th January 2022

Do you think you have Covid-19? Whatever you do, don’t run to the ER

If you think you have Covid-19 or if you have had a positive self-test, do not, under any circumstances, go to the emergency rooms of hospitals in the Algarve, appeals Ana Varges Gomes, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve.

This is because, the head of management of public hospitals in the Algarve told Sul Informação, there has been great pressure from “completely asymptomatic” patients with Covid-19, which makes it difficult to provide assistance to those who really need urgent treatment.

“People who go to the ER who are green and blue [respectively, minor and non-urgent cases, according to the Manchester triage method] and who had no reference to come here, still constitute 46% of the people we see in this service”.

«While we are like this, the Emergency Department can never give the best answer. And all because people don’t look for the right services. There are respiratory services at the health centers in operation, there is a family doctor, there are specific places to do tests. Therefore, coming to a hospital emergency to come for a Covid test when the person is asymptomatic is not a good practice”, defended Ana Varges Gomes.

This rush of asymptomatic Covid patients to the emergency room has to do, on the one hand, with «the non-functioning of the Saúde 24 line», but also with a wrong notion that many people have, that it is necessary to go to the emergency room to be able to have a sick leave.

Firefighters from São Brás de Alportel enter 2022 with a new permanent intervention team.

The Firefighters of the new Permanent Intervention Team (EIP) of the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of São Brás de Alportel received their insignia on Friday, January 7th, during a ceremony attended by the Mayor of São Brás de Alportel, Vitor Guerreiro, and the Civil Protection District Operational Commander of Faro, Richard Marques.

The entry into office of this new team, which represents an annual investment of 70 thousand euros, was possible after the signing of a protocol between the municipality of São Brás de Alportel, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) and the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of São Brás de Alportel (AHBVSBA), will be supported in equal parts by the City Council and ANEPC.

This second AHBVSBA Permanent Intervention Team reinforces the work of the first team that was created in 2012.

For the Commander of the Fire Department of São Brás de Alportel, Vitor Martins, and for the President of AHBVSBA, Custódia Reis, the realization of this new team «is a very important objective in the life of the Fire Department» because it will allow the daily reinforcement operational structure and highlighted the fundamental role of the municipality in this improvement of assistance to the population.

Tourist village in Tavira regulates public lighting via Bluetooth

The Pedras da Rainha Tourist Village, in Tavira, inserted in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, has just implemented a sustainable smart lighting project.

Without the need to dig trenches or use cabling, and in a completely autonomous way, SunStay solar luminaires were installed that offer public lighting to the village in an intelligent, clean and sustainable way.

In a statement, the tourist village explains that, essentially, the SunStay solar luminaires, produced by the Signify company of the Philips Group, are fully sustainable and include battery, motion detector and photovoltaic panels that adapt to sunrise and sunset, making the luminaire autonomous and sustainable. It is also possible to connect via bluetooth, which allows the management of the luminaires through an application, being possible to define the lighting levels adaptable to the place, allowing the saving of resources, given that it is a renewable energy, and also the saving of resources.

Almeida Pires, General Director of Pedras da Rainha says that “The Algarve is one of the most privileged regions of our country, and with 300 days of sunshine a year there are even more reasons to bet on sustainable and smart solutions. We want to reduce the ecological footprint and we believe that we are contributing to making the Algarve an increasingly smart and sustainable destination, and by inserting the Sunstay solar luminaires in the Pedras da Rainha village we are setting an example of good practices and betting on the future. .

Woman died who went swimming at Faro beach

A woman in her 50s was found dead on Faro beach on Monday, after being spotted by people entering the water and swimming, a source from the Marinha told Lusa.

According to the Commander of the Southern Maritime Zone and Captain of the Port of Faro, Fernando Rocha Pacheco, the woman who “was undocumented was taken out of the water by people and assisted on the beach by the INEM doctor who confirmed the death”.

The source said the body was pulled out of the water around 3pm, about 50 minutes after witnesses saw the lady enter the water and swim.

“On the beach a towel and some personal belongings were found that are presumed to belong to the lady”, he added.

The causes of death will now be determined by the Medical-Legal Office of Faro, where the body was transported.

 

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/