Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 5th January 2022
Introduction
Good morning – First a Happy and Safe New Year to you and our first weekly report of the New Year. Public health specialists and politicians will meet again at 10.00 hrs this Wednesday to assess the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic, at a time when Portugal registers a significant increase in infections due to the greater transmission capacity of the Omicron variant. Experts will make various presentations and we will as usual publish these as the meeting progresses. We recommend everyone follows this, as it does provide an up to date and comprehensive factual overview from the experts themselves. Keep informed through Informed!
Following this on Thursday there will be a meeting of the Council of Ministers who will discuss the data and recommendations from experts before deciding if there should be any change to the current measures in place or introduction of new ones. One of the biggest issues is the increase in hospitalisations and actives cases (over 200,000) (the latter placing more pressure on the health services.
Although the number of new cases is unprecedented compared to at any time during the pandemic, with record numbers over the last two weeks, this is a reflection of record testing levels. Over the last 5 days over 1.1 million tests have been administered – even allowing for lower numbers on 1st and 2nd January. As tests start increasing again then we will see higher numbers in the next few days which will likely be reflected in even higher incidence rates.
The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is already responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal, a “sudden increase” that occurred since 6th December in just one month evidence of its incredible speed of transmission.
Conversely the number of hospitalizations is about a third of what it was for the same period a year ago. Between December 20, 2020 and January 3, 2021, the average number of hospitalized people was 2,925.2 and in ICU, the average was 497.5. These levels are some way below the red lines established by government. In the same period this year (2021/22), the average number of admissions was 959 and the average number of people in intensive care was 149.2.
As for the deaths attributed to covid-19, the decline is even more pronounced: between December 20, 2021 and January 3, 2022, the average daily death was 14.8, 79.2% less than the average of 71.4 daily deaths seen in the same period a year ago. It is very clear from these figures that vaccinations are having a marked effect in terms of reducing hospitalisations, serious cases and deaths. Portugal has already administered more than three million booster doses of the covid-19 vaccine and more than 2.4 million doses against the flu.
Changing the subject – Yesterday we published Europol report concerning substandard, illicit toys, including those that are unsafe or even toxic, represent a hazard in our markets and homes and expose our kids to uncontrolled health risks. Such risks include electric shocks and burns, choking hazards as well as toxicity.
How can you make sure that the new toys you want to buy for your children will bring them joy without being hazardous? In case you missed the article and the advice provided can be downloaded here: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/how-to-recognise-fake-and-hazardous-toys/
Along similar lines, Infarmed yesterday warned of the identification in Germany of a counterfeit pulse oximeter Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, recommending distributors in Portugal not to purchase or use this item. Infarmed in a bulletin referred to it as a counterfeit of the medical device that measures oxygen in the blood has been identified in Germany: the mandatory company mentioned on the labelling admits that it does not know the product or the alleged manufacturer.
If you require advice or have any doubts about a particular medicine and medical devices, especially when purchasing on-line, it is important to check that this is properly certified for use in Portugal. This can be checked by contacting Infarmed which has a great deal of information on medicines on its website.https://www.infarmed.pt/web/infarmed/institucional/documentacao_e_informacao
With that please have a Safe Day
Covid-19
DGS Situation report Tuesday 4th January
Confirmed: 1.460.406 (+25,836)
Admitted: 1.203 (+ 36)
Admitted to ICU: 147 (0)
Deaths: 19.015 (+ 15)
Recovered: 1.227.642 (+ 19,931)
Active cases: 213,749 (+5,890)
COMPARISON with 2021
Despite the high number of new cases, with record numbers over the last two weeks, the number of hospitalized is about a third of what it was a year ago.
There is a large decrease in relation to the number of hospitalized when compared to 2020/21:
– Between December 20, 2020 and January 3, 2021, the average number of hospitalized people was 2,925.2.
In relation to intensive care, the average was 497.5.
– In the same period this year (2021/22), the average number of admissions was 959 and the average number of people in intensive care was 149.2.
As for the deaths attributed to covid-19, the decline is even more pronounced:
Between December 20, 2021 and January 3, 2022, the average daily death was 14.8, 79.2% less than the average of 71.4 daily deaths seen in the same period a year ago.
Health
Costa schedules a meeting with experts at Infarmed for Wednesday
The Prime Minister has scheduled another meeting with experts for today Wednesday, at Infarmed, in Lisbon, on the evolution of the covid-19 pandemic in Portugal.
At the meeting, which is scheduled for 10.00 hrs, only the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Ferro Rodrigues, and the leader of the executive, António Costa, in addition to the Minister of Health, Marta Temido as well as various specialists, will be present at Infarmed’s premises.
The rest, i.e. party representatives, members of the Council of State or social partners, will participate in the meeting via videoconference.
In political terms, the results of the meeting will be analysed at the next Council of Ministers, on Thursday, at a time when both the incidence and the transmission rate (Rt) are increasing in Portugal.
Administered more than three million booster doses of the vaccine in Portugal
Portugal has already administered more than three million booster doses of the covid-19 vaccine and more than 2.4 million doses against the flu.
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) said in a statement that, of the more than 2.4 million doses of flu vaccine administered in Portugal, around 477 thousand were in pharmacies. The note adds that more than one million people received both covid-19 and flu booster vaccines simultaneously.
According to data recorded up to the end of Monday, January 3, of the more than three million booster doses against covid-19 administered, nearly two million were in people over 65 years of age. So far, 88% of people over 70 have received a booster dose, says the DGS. Between 60 and 69 years old, 66% of people are already vaccinated.
According to data from the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS), more than 100,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11 are scheduled to receive the vaccine against covid-19 between Thursday and Sunday.
Omicron variant responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal
The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is already responsible for almost 90% of infections in Portugal, a “sudden increase” that occurred just over a month after the first cases, announced today the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
“Since December 6, there has been a high growth in the proportion of probable cases of the Omicron variant, having reached an estimated proportion of 89.6% on January 3, 2022”, says the INSA report on genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2, which causes covid-19 disease.
According to the institute that monitors the evolution of the coronavirus in Portugal, the “sudden increase” in community circulation of this variant resembles the “scenario observed in other countries”, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom.
The first 13 cases of Omicron in Portugal were detected at the end of November, associated with an outbreak in Belenenses SAD and the same transmission chain, but on December 6, the INSA said that 37 cases had already been registered.
A week later, on December 14, and with only 69 cases detected, the INSA report admitted the community circulation of Omicron, which was confirmed on the 20th of the same month, when the variant was already responsible for an estimated proportion of 46.9% of infections.
With the Delta variant progressively losing ground after having been dominant for several months, Omicron was responsible for 82.9% of infections recorded at the end of the year, according to the health authorities’ latest pandemic risk analysis data.
Restrictions led to cancellation of reservations at more than 80% of accommodation and catering businesses
The results of the most recent survey by AHRESP indicate that, “in total this Christmas and New Year’s season, 47% of catering companies and 42% of accommodation registered cancellations in more than half of the reservations they had confirmed”.
The restrictive measures applied during Christmas and New Year resulted in cancellations in more than 80% of accommodation and catering companies, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP), he restrictive measures applied during Christmas and New Year resulted in cancellations in more than 80% of accommodation and catering companies, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP), announced on Tuesday.
According to AHRESP, the mandatory presentation of a digital vaccination certificate for restaurants and accommodation and tests for bars and clubs led to cancellations of reservations in 88% of establishments, while 83% of tourist accommodation companies registered cancellations.
“In total this Christmas and New Year’s season, 47% of catering companies and 42% of accommodation registered cancellations in more than half of the reservations they had confirmed”, adds AHRESP.
The AHRESP survey also adds that in the food and beverage sector, 20% of companies registered a drop in turnover of more than 50% in December compared to the same month in 2020.
The document also points out that 47% of companies admitted not having managed to accumulate financial reserves in the summer months and that 44% did, “but already had to use them.”
Portugal without cases of “flurone”. But increased flu could lead to cases of simultaneous infection, warns the INSA
The Doctor Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute (INSA) has not registered any cases of simultaneous infection by the viruses that cause the flu and covid-19, but today admitted that these situations occur, given the predictable increase in flu activity.
“With the increased circulation of the flu virus and the continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2, co-infections may be detected,” said Raquel Guiomar, responsible for the national reference laboratory for flu and other respiratory viruses from the INSA Department of Infectious Diseases.
“In Portugal we still haven’t detected cases of infection by the flu virus and by SARS-CoV-2. The survey for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza is being carried out in parallel in all samples of the national influenza surveillance program and other respiratory viruses and no covid/influenza coinfections were detected”, said Raquel Guiomar.
On Sunday, Israel’s Ministry of Health confirmed to EFE news agency that the country had detected the first case of simultaneous infection by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and influenza virus, a co-infection that has received the designation “flurone”, in a pregnant woman not vaccinated.
“Flurone” is a designation defined using the terms ‘flu’ (flu) and ‘rona’ (from coronavirus).
The woman was discharged Dec. 30 after being treated for mild symptoms from this dual infection (flu and covid-19), added the Times of Israel.
In Portugal, the latest INSA flu epidemiological surveillance bulletin, released on December 30, indicated that Portugal has a growing flu activity, with an incidence rate of 19.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Regarding the severity indicator, one case of flu (influenza A) was reported by the 17 intensive care units that sent information, with no flu situations having been reported by the wards.
Classroom teaching set to resume on January 10th
Face to face classes will resume next Monday, the 10th, guaranteed, this Monday, the Deputy Secretary of State and Health, António Lacerda Sales , also announcing the reinforcement vaccination of teachers in an open house in the next 6th. , 7, 8 and 9. Period in which more than 100,000 children between 5 and 11 years of age must be immunized.
The decision to resume face-to-face teaching on Monday is contested by the vice president of the National Association of Public Health Physicians (ANMSP), Gustavo Tato Borges, who predicts a peak of 100,000 infected people per day at the end of this month. On Wednesday, there is a meeting at Infarmed to analyse the evolution of the pandemic.
Given the exponential increase in the number of people infected with covid-19, Gustavo Tato Borges argues that, until the end of January, classes should take place at a distance. “If the cases reduce sooner, the students return to the classroom sooner”, he explains to JN.
The vice president of the ANMSP is concerned, above all, with children from the 1st and 2nd cycles, as they only took the first dose of the vaccine. “As they are not fully protected, they will get sick more easily and pass it on to the most vulnerable family members.” Although he agrees with Lacerda Sales, when he invokes the importance of in-person classes for the physical and mental health of students, Gustavo Tato Borges argues that the protection of older family members, who are at increased risk, should prevail, so that the more serious consequences do not weigh on the conscience of no one.
Open House for teachers on the afternoons of the 6th, 7, 8th and 9th of January
Teachers and professionals at nurseries and ATL will be able to boost the covid-19 vaccine under Open House regime in the afternoons of next few days 6, 7, 8 and 9, announced the Deputy Secretary of State and Health.
In an interview with CNN Portugal on Monday night, Lacerda Sales said this vaccination booster takes place on the same days as children’s vaccination scheduled for the morning, and professionals only need to resort to digital passwords and show a document that prove your job.
On Monday, Lacerda Sales gave assurance that back to school will happen even on January 10th, removing the chance of being delayed due to increased cases of covid-19.
′′ I don’t think that measure [postponement] is assuredly on the table. And therefore, classes begin on January 10 for children, because this is a fundamental measure for our children’s physical, mental, social and psychological health “, said the ruler, in Coimbra.
Lacerda Sales statements came on the same day as the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof) regretted half of teachers continuing without the dose of boosting the covid-19 vaccine, considering re-postponing schools would be synonymous with ′′ failure of decisions and actions taken “.
According to Fenprof accounts, about half of teachers are still waiting to be called to the booster dose: ′′ By virtue of the ageing of the teaching profession, about half of teachers and educators may have already been vaccinated or scheduled for vaccination, however, everyone else continues to stand by “.
Due to the worsening number of new cases of covid-19, the Government has decided to postpone the resumption of classes for one week (until the 10th).
Infarmed issues alert for counterfeit pulse oximeter
A counterfeit of the medical device that measures oxygen in the blood was identified in Germany: the mandatory company mentioned on the labelling admits that it does not know the product or the alleged manufacturer.
Infarmed warned of the identification in Germany of a counterfeit pulse oximeter Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, recommending distributors in Portugal not to purchase or use.
The National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) reports on its website that a counterfeit medical device, which measures oxygen in the blood, Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, model C101H1, from the manufacturer Shenzhen IMDK Medical Technology Co., has been identified in Germany. Ltd.
“In the labelling of the counterfeit product, the entity “Shenzhen Mdk Medical Technologyco., ltd” is identified as the manufacturer and MedNet GmbH as agent”, says Infarmed.
However, the company MedNet GmbH said it did not know the product or the alleged manufacturer, says Infarmed, adding that the CE0123 marking on the label is also false.
Infarmed also indicates that in Portugal, it has alerted all distributors who notified the sale of this medical device to the existence of this counterfeit product and recommended to all those involved in the marketing chain and users that, if the counterfeit product is eventually detected, it should not be purchased or used.
Other news
Hackers who attacked SIC and Expresso were inside the system for several days planning a sequential attack
The attack was claimed by the Lapsus group, which is suspected to be made up of Colombians and a Spaniard, and which was inside Impresa’s servers for several days before unleashing the attack. On the 30th, the same group had tried to enter an international company based in Lisbon.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) is already investigating the computer attack on the websites of the newspaper Expresso and SIC, as confirmed by PÚBLICO.
The Impresa group itself, which owns the two media, had already confirmed that it was collaborating with the PJ and the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS) and announced that it will “file a criminal complaint” against what it considered to be an “unseen attack to press freedom in Portugal in the digital age”.
On the island of São Miguel, 114 new positive cases were registered in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, 35 in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, 22 in the municipality of Lagoa, 22 in the municipality of Povoação, 21 in the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo and seven in the municipality of Nordeste.
“Positive cases now have five days of isolation. If you do not have symptoms during these five days, or even at the end of these five days, you will no longer be isolated and will have the obligation of specific and rigorous behavioural care, including the use of a mask”, said Clélio Meneses, at a press conference.
According to the price index of the idealista portal, at the end of December 2021, renting a house in the region had a cost of 9.8 euros per square meter (m2). In relation to the quarterly variation, leasing increased by 1.6 percent.
The course, promoted by the Association of Salvadoran Swimmers of Albufeira (ANSA), comprises 31 sessions in a total of 150 hours, from Monday to Saturday (minimum daily load 5 hours). The final exam “will be carried out during working hours”, on a date to be determined by the Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos.
A very happy new year to all our followers both on our Facebook page and on our website. We hope, despite the ongoing pandemic, that you were all able to enjoy the festivities with family and friends wherever you may be living.
Finally, in Africa, where many have suggested the new variant first appeared, the increase in new cases was just 2% over the previous week with a total of 304.346 new cases. The interesting statistic from Africa is that new cases in South Africa dropped by 48% in the past week. Across the world we are also seeing a drop in deaths with a 7% drop worldwide in the past week compared to the previous 7 days.
Other notable increases in new cases are Greece with a massive hike in cases in the past week with 170,029 compared to 39594 the previous week, Portugal saw a 148% increase in cases in the past week compared to the previous 7 days with 136,883 new cases. Whilst deaths in Portugal remain relatively low there is evidence to suggest that more people are dying from Covid now than they were previously. In the past week there has been a 6% increase in deaths compared to the previous week. Whether this is due to the cold spell or the fact that the elderly are also prone to other infections like pneumonia could also be a factor.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Health Minister John Haggie said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolating with cold-like symptoms. The province’s surge in cases will affect health-care services in St. John’s. Eastern Health says non-urgent services will be temporarily scaled back as of Tuesday to allow for a greater focus on booster vaccine clinics and testing for COVID-19. The health authority says it plans to focus on urgent or emergent acute care services within the city. However, prenatal appointments will continue, as will those for cancer treatment. The medical imaging program will be performing exams on a priority basis, and those patients will be contacted only if their appointment has been cancelled, Eastern Health said in a statement issued Friday. All non-urgent appointments have been cancelled, it said.
Also on the same day, there were 44,700 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 389
When visiting family and friends (especially those who may be vulnerable) who do not live with you, we ask urge people to follow DGS advice by taking a Covid-19 test, can be a self-test. This will help in reducing the risk of passing on the disease should you be infected.
The data indicate that the Ómicron variant is dominant in Portugal (more than 50% of cases) and that, according to the INSA, this “sudden increase in community circulation is parallel to the scenario observed in other countries, such as Denmark and the United Kingdom”.
As of December 27, 2021 nearly 8.7 million people have been vaccinated and more than 2.5 million have received the booster dose.
“However, and with a view to ensuring the need for passenger testing, and a further increase in demand being expected next weekend, Synlab’s laboratory at Lisbon Airport will be exclusive to ticket holders, between the 30th. December and January 2nd”, guaranteed the company.
According to the same data, the number of requests for testing to covid-19 issued by the SNS24 Line on Sunday surpassed the previous record of January 21st of this year (16,672).
The Infarmed authorized the company Crioestaminal to develop an experimental therapy to umbilical cord cells as the basis for the treatment of severe cases of infection by SARS-CoV-2, advanced Tuesday the Public newspaper.
TAP cancelled “some flights” due to “peak casualties” as a result of covid-19, not revealing how many. In response to a request for information from the DN, the company’s advisory reports: “TAP has been adjusting the operation to face a peak in crew casualties (mostly due to covid), which has already led to the cancellation of some flights, with passengers being accommodated on other flights of the company or partner companies”.
In Terceira, 16 new positive cases were registered, five in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and 11 in the municipality of Praia da Vitória.
Clélio Meneses has said that the vaccination process on the island of São Miguel “will go principally to Portas do Mar”, where the Pavilhão do Mar is located, as of January 10th, both for vaccination by scheduling as for the “open house”, this does not require prior appointments.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the traditional New Year’s party in Albufeira, at Praia dos Pescadores, was cancelled, however, the Municipality will not fail to mark the entry in 2022.
Hotels in the Algarve are receiving last-minute cancellations due to the entry into force of new restrictions to combat the covid-19 pandemic and the worsening epidemiological situation.
For the municipality, the initiative created a few years ago, with the aim of contributing to a “more comfortable and happier” Christmas, is of greater importance at a time when the pandemic has increased the number of vulnerable families economic.
If I may start this report by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This will be the last Overseas Report until the new year and whilst it would be good to end the year on a happy note the way the surge in Infections of the omicron variant is moving across the world makes it difficult to remain optimistic that life will eventually get back to some semblance of normality.
Japan has now vaccinated most of its population and has widespread masking, which may explain the current low numbers. But so does neighbouring South Korea, where authorities are rescinding reopening plans because of a spike in infections and record numbers of serious and critical cases. And Japan has barely begun rolling out its booster shots, lagging other countries in the region, including South Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that the government aims to provide free and accessible testing starting at the end of this month. He has also called for a study of the government’s failures in responding to the spike this summer, including the cases where people died at home because the hospitals were full.
Some Japanese researchers have pointed to studies that found genetic or health conditions in Japan, including low prevalence of obesity. A study published this month by Japan’s Riken research institute, the country’s largest scientific research body, found that a genetic feature found in the white blood cells of up to 60 percent of Japanese people mounts an immune response to the coronavirus. The immune response was seen in 80 percent of the people with this genetic feature, and researchers found that it may explain one theory about Japan’s experience with the coronavirus.
Pedro Ramos, Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary
Also on the same day, there were 30,927 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 409 people, who had contact with positive cases, being monitored by the health authorities of several Madeira municipalities and of Porto Santo.
There were 11 incidents as a result of the bad weather that the Region has been facing. They were small floods in urban areas, fallen rocks and fallen trees. The authorities have advised the population to pay attention to the weather forecast and to the following guidance issued by the Regional Civil Protection Service: