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Portugal Situation Report Saturday 17^Th July 2021

 

Introduction

Good morning – We start today by extending our condolences to the families and friends of those who died in the floods in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as other countries. This is a tragedy beyond all proportions, in terms of deaths, injuries and widespread destruction.

There are many in the community in Portugal who have friends and relatives in the affected area, and are undoubtedly worried over the situation.

Our coverage of this, which we started around 0700 hrs on Thursday. I thank “Deutsche in Portugal” Facebook group for kindly sharing our post within the German community here and the vast majority of our followers, who have found such information useful and shared it accordingly – thank you.

However, we received one or two comments, asking “what has this has to do with Portugal and why is Safe Communities covering this?”

Let me explain. Safe Communities Portugal has and will always report on safety and security matters that affect the large diverse community we support in Portugal and this means a multi-national approach. We have many followers of many different nationalities, and we try our best to serve those communities here, through for instance our overseas reports, as well as reporting on major catastrophes overseas, where there is a significant local interest and concern.

It is important to distinguish between just reporting the news which the media do, and the role of Safe Communities, which is to provide assistance through identifying  and promoting official enquiry services such as for missing persons, various government warnings, travel that may be affected and of course, answering your enquiries where we can. This has been part of our remit for some years in our capacity as an official Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation. We have undertaken these services during major catastrophes in Portugal of course, including the fires of 2017 and Monchique fire of 2018.

In crisis situations, debate on Facebook, which is not focused on the facts can create unnecessary, unrelated and long threads. This has a negative impact and makes it more difficult for people to find factual information and answers to questions. In critical situations such delays can even place lives at risk. Where such comments detract from the main topic, be it a health crisis or major fire for instance, we will delete these in the interests of the majority and in order to achieve our mission. The “about us” section on our Facebook page is very clear on this subject.

If anyone finds this part of what we do not to their liking, then rather than spend a lot of time criticising which then means we have to answer the issue in question, which takes up time and detracts from our important work, then please feel free to use another Facebook community that is more in keeping with their views.

Some good – news. Yesterday mainland Portugal surpassed the mark of 10 million doses of vaccines against Covid-19 administered to the population, of which about six million correspond to first doses and about four million to people with the complete vaccination schedule.

We should all be grateful for as this is by far the main weapon in our arsenal to combat Covid 19 in the long run. We are trying our best in liaison with government to resolve the issue concerning vaccinations for those without a utente number and will update as soon as there is progress.

With the heat increasing across the country it is more important than ever to push home the fact that rural fires are a part of Portuguese life and we should all be aware of their impact. The temperatures are likely to increase further over the next few days and vegetation will become dryer. It is important that those of you living in rural areas, especially in high risk areas are aware of action to take in the event of a fire. I cannot stress enough the importance of having an action plan beforehand because trying to decide at the time what to do without a plan will be too late. Fires can spread very quickly with great intensity. I will be discussing this on KissFm tomorrow Sunday 18th July at 0915 hrs.

Please have a restful and Safe weekend

 

Headlines

Portugal has already administered 10 million doses of vaccines

Mainland Portugal surpassed the mark of 10 million doses of vaccines against Covid-19 administered to the population, of which about six million correspond to first doses and about four million to people with the complete vaccination schedule.

At this moment, about 95% of the population over 50 years living on the continent already has a dose of the vaccine administered and 85% has completed vaccination. It should also be noted that, of the adult population residing on the continent, 74% already have a dose of the vaccine and 55% have the complete vaccination schedule.

The Secretary of State for Health, Diogo Serras Lopes, underlined the joint effort that has been developed to achieve this goal: «We thank everyone involved in this vaccination process – health professionals, health entities, the armed forces, the security forces, and local authorities, among many others – the enormous spirit of commitment and dialogue that has been demonstrated so that our main objective, outlined since the beginning, continues to be achieved: that each vaccine, delivered in Portugal, arrives , as soon as possible, to the people”.

Covid-19: Centre for Disease Control anticipates strong increase in the number of cases in the coming weeks in the Union

Stockholm, 16 Jul 2021 (Lusa) – The number of covid-19 cases is expected to increase sharply in the coming weeks in the European Union (EU) due to the Delta variant and the widespread relief of restriction measures, announced today the European Centre for Control of Diseases (ECDC).

According to projections released today, there may be almost five times more new cases of infection by August 1st, with an estimated incidence of over 420 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants for the week ending August 1st in relation to the territory of the EU, as well as Norway and Iceland. Last week, the incidence was less than 90 cases per 100,000 population.

For the following week, between August 2nd and August 8th, which represents the longest projection of the ECDC, the European organization estimates a new rise in this indicator, then rising to around 620 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Although these projections remain epidemiological scenarios, this level of infection is in line with what was observed during the peaks of autumn 2020 and in April 2021, according to data from the EU agency. However, the number of hospitalizations and deaths is likely to grow more slowly due to the vaccination campaign at the community level.

Currently, the trend is upward in two-thirds of the 30 countries monitored by ECDC, “and in the most affected countries, the largest increases in cases and the highest levels of infection are in the 15-24 age group, with limited increases ” in the over 65 age group.

 

Covid-19 Incidence and transmission rates published 16^th July

The national incidence rate rose from 336.3 to 355.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and on the continent from 346.5 to 366.7 cases, in the figures published today.

The national R(t) decreases from 1.15 to 1.12 and for the mainland from 1.15 to 1.13.

At municipal level for incidence rates per 100,000in the 14 day up to 14^th July the highest municipalities were: Albufeira 1291, Loulé 1176, Portimão 941, Lagos 912, Sines 897 and Faro 888.

As can be seen five of the six highest municipalities were in the Algarve. All municipalities in the region showed an increase compared to last week

 

Covid-19

DGS Covid-19 Report published 16^th July 2021

Confirmed Cases: 923,747 (+ 3547 / + 0.39 %)

Number of admitted: 778 (+ 4 / + 0.52 %)

Number of ICU admitted: 171 (-3 /-1.72 %)

Deaths: 17,194 (+ 7 / + 0.04 %)

Recovered: 857,108 (+ 2571 / + 0.30 %)

Active cases: 49,445 (+969/ +1.9%)

Safe Communities comparisons/trends show that deaths were higher than yesterday and above last week’s daily average of hour;  new daily cases were similar to Thursday and third highest since 10th February; of these 41.6% were in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo same percentage to average of last week. In hospital there was a small increase with the highest total since 19th March 2021 and in ICU a small decrease but still the second highest total since 19th March 2021. Active cases again increased with the highest total since 11th March 2021. In the Algarve there were over 300 news cases.

Health

Lisbon “maybe already at the peak” of the fourth wave, says Temido

Lisbon “maybe is already at the peak” of the fourth wave, admitted the Minister of Health.

On a visit to the vaccination centre in Oeiras, this Friday, Marta Temido admitted the hypothesis that Lisbon is already going through the peak of a fourth wave, acknowledging, however, that more data are needed and praising the vaccination efforts.

“Perhaps we are at the peak of the fourth wave in Lisbon. The professionals have been a tireless workforce in this vaccination campaign. At the moment we are registering well over 120 thousand doses per day and in this centre there have been three thousand doses per day , in recent days. This involves many manoeuvres, many small actions, so that everyone can be vaccinated,” he explained.

“One of the things we know about this pandemic is that only after we pass the peak can we say that we have already been there”, stressed the official, adding that it is necessary to continue to “bet on basic precautionary measures, which are not very demanding ” face what they allow.

About the open letter written by health professionals calling for no return to confinement, the minister assured that Portugal already has a set of measures adapted to the situation: “What this letter tells us is that maybe we can manage to control the numbers maintaining the measures that we are currently practicing.”

Covid-19: Intensive care with 72% of intensive care beds occupied

 Lisbon, July 16, 2021 (Lusa) – On Wednesday, 72% of the 245 intensive care beds for patients with covid-19 were occupied by mainland Portugal, when, in the previous week, this indicator was at 56%, the Directorate announced today. General of Health (DGS).

“The daily number of covid-19 cases admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU) on the continent showed an increasing trend, corresponding to 72% of the defined critical value of 245 occupied beds”, indicates the report of the “red lines” of the pandemic DGS and the National Institute Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).

According to this risk analysis, on Wednesday, 174 patients were admitted to intensive care, 38 more than on the previous Wednesday.

“The maximum recommended occupancy for covid-19 patients in Intensive Care Units by region is being updated and will be presented next week”, the report also states.

The “red lines” of control of the pandemic established by several experts predicted 245 beds as the critical value in the set of hospitals in mainland Portugal, pointing to a regional distribution of 85 beds in the North, 56 in the Centre, 84 in Lisbon and Vale the Tagus, 10 in the Alentejo and 10 in the Algarve.

The document that established these “red lines” stressed, however, that the integrated management of the National Health Service’s capacity presupposes a network response, which means, in intensive care medicine, that regional needs can be met with the response of others regions with greater capacity.

The report released today also mentions that the age group with the highest number of cases of covid-19 in the ICU corresponds to people between 40 and 59 years old, representing 82 patients out of a total of 174 hospitalized in these units.

Covid-19: Doctors and pharmacists speak out against containment measures

Lisbon, July 16, 2021 (Lusa) – Doctors and pharmacists spoke out in an open letter, released today, against the taking of “extraordinary containment measures” to combat the pandemic, warning that they produce “more serious” effects for society than the covid-19.

In the letter, released by some media, the 20 signatories portray the current situation in the country, stating that in the last 14 days (until July 8th), the covid-19 mortality rate was 0.03 per 100,000 population, against a mortality rate from other diseases and causes of death of 2.7 per 100,000.

“The average number of patients hospitalized for covid-19 was 528.7, in a total of about 21 thousand NHS beds, of which 17,700 were dedicated to covid-19”, underline the signatories, among which are the President of the Order of Pharmacists, Ana Paula Martins, pathologist Germano de Sousa, public health physician Jorge Torgal.

They further note that the incidence of positive tests was 254.8/100,000, “but the true incidence of covid-19 is unknown”, and that the “incidence” of infection among those who completed the vaccination plan is 0.01 %.

In light of this situation, the subscribers state that “it is not reasonable to combat the current situation – no longer pandemic, but endemic – by resorting to ‘sanitary’ measures, the effectiveness of which has been called into question by several prestigious researchers”.

They also consider that these measures produce “greater effects on society and the common good than the disease itself” and that some of them “may have contributed to the increase in the circulation of the virus”.

“The risk of dying from a disease other than covid-19 is actually increasing in Portugal”, they say.

Portuguese back to the altar. Marriages increase 88%

The postponement of wedding celebrations was one of the consequences of the pandemic, but it is now on a growing trend.

According to data released this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in May there were 2,602 celebrations, which represents an increase of 88.4% from April to May.

Deaths, on the other hand, follow an inverse trend and are falling. In June, 8,116 deaths were registered, a number lower than in May (-493). Also compared to the same period of the previous year, there is a decrease of 5.2% (-448).

Only related to Covid-19, 76 deaths were identified in the last month, representing 0.9% of total deaths in June.

Live births also continue to decline, which has been happening for a year, since July 2020.

In April and May, respectively, 6,212 and 6 629 live births were registered, which means a decrease of 10.7% (-742) and 8.4% (-611), compared to the same period in 2020.

In April and May 2021, the natural balance was, respectively, minus 2,217 and minus 1,972, which compares with balances of minus 3,487 and minus 2,361 in the same periods of 2020.

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 14^th July 2021

 

Introduction

Good morning, in the last few days there have been many figures regarding Covid-19 but probably the most important to put in perspective are the following. Portugal recorded, on Monday, 476 active outbreaks on the continent, of which 18 are in nursing homes and two in health institutions, according to data from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) announced yesterday.

Although this may seem high, these numbers contrast drastically with the maximum number of active outbreaks recorded in February 2021, when there were 921 active outbreaks in mainland Portugal. As you can see from our weekly comparison tables, that we publish on Mondays, the number of infections is also having some impact on the health service. Compared with the daily averages over three weeks, the numbers in ICU were up 57%, and in hospital they increased by 68%. Again to put this in context, at the beginning of February this year, those in hospital stood at near 7000, many times higher than at present.

There are various forecasts at the present from several experts, but there appears to be a consensus that the peak is likely to come in August before the situation improves.

With these increases, most taking place within the younger age group, one would think this would deter taking part in large gatherings. Yet a few days ago we saw reports of a gathering of a rave party with nearly 300 people and few days ago a similar party to the west of Albufeira with some 150 youngsters participating.  This maybe one of the reasons for the large new cases in the Algarve reach around 2000 in the last six days.

Turning to vaccinations, more than 42% of people already have full vaccination and 60% have taken at least one dose. This week 1,040,692 doses were administered, 231,000 more than the previous week – the highest since the start of the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.

Self-scheduling for those aged 23 years of age became available on Monday. The self- scheduling started with the 65 years of age, and over on 65s and over, on 23^rd April and the process is the same.

People who have not received the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine do not need to make an appointment for the second dose, they just need to go to the respective centre at the specific time for this type of vaccination. The time schedules can be downloaded here. https://covid19.min-saude.pt/antecipacao-das-2a-doses-de-astrazeneca/

We understand that there is some pressure at the vaccination centres in the Algarve, so please use the virtual traffic light system concerning queuing times.

Turning to the weather – well the temperatures did not reach the higher 40s forecast for last weekend, but it was still very hot, with temperatures around 39C and just over 40C recorded in some central and southern parts of the mainland. During this period we publish the Rural Fire Index which shows the rate by which fires can start and spread.

Compared with previous years, so far this year we have been fortunate in terms of the number of fires (around 300 in the last four days), given the weather conditions recently. This compares with over 330 a day during the worst periods of 2017. However it is important to remember that we are only at the start of the critical fire period that normally runs until 30^th September. As the summer progresses, the vegetation becomes drier and in doing so it provides the fuel for fires to start and spread more easily. Some of the worst fires of 2017 were in October. The emergency services have responded very quickly to incidents, with most being brought to a conclusion within the initial attack phase of 90 minutes. However, one yesterday in the Algarve yesterday burned for some 3 hours even with the deployment of 4 aircraft/helicopters.

Much of the quick responses is due to the prepositioning of some fire vehicles e.g. at locations where the risk is extremely high, not necessarily at the fire station which maybe some distance from the areas concerned. Another area where we have been fortunate, is that we have not had significant multiple fires at the same time in the same region. When these occour in areas where access is difficult, more response is required, and any delay in bring the fire under control leads to fires spreading, the circumference of the fire becoming larger, burning with greater intensity. This then becomes far more difficult, with more firefighters becoming deployed with the risk of the fire becoming out of control – as in the case of the Monchique fire in 2018 which burned for 8 days!

This is why, as soon as you see signs of a fire call 112 immediately – every second counts

With that, please have a Safe Day.

Covid-19

The good news was from yesterday that both the number of active cases and the total in ICU decreased. The report published by DGS on Tuesday showed the following:

Confirmed Cases: 912.406 (+ 2650 / + 0.29 %)

Number of admitted: 742 (+ 13 / + 1.78 %)

Number of ICU admitted: 161 (-2 /-1.23 %)

Deaths: 17.173 (+ 9 / + 0.05 %)

Recovered: 850.034 (+ 3490 / + 0.41 %)

Active cases: 45,199 (+849/ -1.8%)

Safe Communities comparisons/trends show that deaths were double last week’s daily average (4); new daily cases were below the 3,000 mark seen last week; 43% of these were in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo a lower percentage than average of last week. In hospital, there was an increase but lower than last few days. Highest total since 23rd March 2021. In ICU there was a decrease, the first decrease for some days, and active cases also decreased.

Health

Covid-19 Incidence rate amongst young people increased five times in the last month.

Cases of new SARS-CoV-2 infections have increased in all age groups, however, less accentuated increases have been recorded in older groups as a result of vaccination, while the incidence in the 20 to 29 age group has shown a sharp ascent.

The cumulative incidence is increasing in all age groups, however, it is among the youngest that the incidence has been more pronounced. In the last month, the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days increased six times in the age group from 0 to 9 years old and more than five times in the age group from 20 to 29.

This increase in cases, however, verifies the impact of vaccination on the increase in cases, since the increase in the number of cases has been less accentuated among the elderly. To Público, the mathematician Carlos Antunes, from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, stated that it is possible to verify a “gradual mitigation” of infections “in the higher aged groups”.

In the range from 0 to 9 years, the incidence increased from 59.15 cases at 14 days to 366.62. However, in the age group from 20 to 29 years, the increase in incidence rose from 142.43 cases per 100,000 young adults to 766.34, representing an increase of 439%.

Carlos Antunes explains to the publication that this increase has been similar in all regions of the country, highlighting, however, the “slower rate of increase and a much lower incidence rate” in Portuguese aged 50 or over, which he points out as a result of the advance in vaccination. “The groups that have the least vaccination coverage, under 50 years old, continue to be those with the highest rates of higher incidence and rate of increase. And all regions have the same pattern”, he says, adding that Lisboa and Vale do Tejo is beginning to see “a slowdown in almost all bands”, a trend that is seen mainly in the 50-59 group.

Mainland Portugal with 476 active outbreaks.

Portugal recorded, on Monday, 476 active outbreaks on the continent, of which 18 are in nursing homes and two in health institutions, according to data from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) announced this Tuesday.

According to the DGS this data contrasts drastically with the maximum number of active outbreaks recorded in February 2021, when there were 921 active outbreaks in mainland Portugal.

The majority of active outbreaks were registered in the Lisbon and Vele do Tajo Region, with 350, while the North Region had 46, Algarve 31, Alentejo 24 and Centro region 25.

According to data from the DGS, 84 active outbreaks were related to education and teaching establishments in the public and private sectors, which include schools, higher education, day care centers and other social facilities.

An active outbreak consists of two or more confirmed cases with an epidemiological link to each other in time and space, explains the DGS , adding that “only after 28 days have elapsed after the date of diagnosis of the last confirmed case (two incubation periods no new cases) is that the outbreak is considered closed”

Covid-19. More than six thousand daily cases expected in early August.

The peak of the new wave should be reached in the second half of August, forecasts the Covid-19 Insights platform

New cases of infection by Covid-19 are expected to exceed 6000 daily in the first week of August. The forecast is made by the “Covid-19 Insights” platform, which brings together specialists from Nova Information Management School and COTEC Portugal. The same platform estimates, according to “Jornal de Notícias”, that the peak of the new wave should occur after the second half of August.

“I don’t think these are scary numbers. Even six thousand cases today are not as serious as they were from January to March, because they translated into hospitalizations and deaths”, said the co-ordinator of the platform, Pedro Simões Coelho. The platform predicts that, on the same date, there will be 1101 hospitalizations – 213 in intensive care.

The red line monitoring report defines as a “critical threshold” the occupation of “245 beds in intensive care”. The latest DGS report registered 163 patients in the ICU.

Covid-19: Hospital Santa Maria in Lisbon registers 94% occupancy and foresees increased response.

Lisbon, 12 Jul 2021 (Lusa) – The Hospital de Santa Maria, in Lisbon, registers today 39 Covid-19 patients admitted to the ward and 18 to the intensive care unit (ICU), occupying 94% of the limit of available beds, the broadening of the “short term” response is foreseen.

A source from the University Hospital Centre Lisbon North (CHLN), which integrates the Hospital Santa Maria, said that the contingency plan for the response to Covid-19 patients, as of today, has 42 beds available in the infirmary and 19 in the ICU.

With readiness and capacity to anticipate the needs registered during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hospital de Santa Maria has “in progress the expansion of its response, in the short term, in the ward and in the ICU”, pointing out as “very likely” that the reinforcement happens already during this week.

Speaking to Lusa agency, a CHLN source said that the opening of another ward, with 21 beds, is planned, which will join the two wards already available (each with the capacity to accommodate 21 patients), increasing to 63 the total number of beds.

Regarding the response to Covid-19 patients in the ICU, the capacity building will be “according to needs”.

As of today, Santa Maria Hospital has 39 Covid-19 patients admitted to the ward, which represents 92.8% of the available capacity, and 18 in the ICU, which corresponds to 94.7% of the occupancy limit, according to CHLN data, noting that “there are variations in the level of occupation throughout the day”, including due to medical discharges.

Regarding the age of hospitalised Covid-19 patients, the CHLN stated that “the average is 55 years old”, specifying that in the ward the average is 59 years old and in the ICU it is 50 years old, according to data recorded last week.

Covid-19: Guard Council asks emigrants to comply with recommendations and “don’t make it easy”.

Guarda, July 13, 2020 (Lusa) – The Mayor of Guarda appealed today to emigrants, who this summer are on vacation in the county, to comply with “the basic rules” recommended by the authorities and “do not make it easy”, to avoid possible contagion from Covid-19.

“There has to be immense rigour in what are the behaviours, defence and protection attitudes of themselves [emigrants] and the community where they are inserted, from the outset, complying with the basic rules of the national Health authority, with commitment and with this obligation, which today we all assume as natural, as a situation that is necessary to defend our health”, said Carlos Chaves Monteiro to Lusa agency.

The mayor appeals to emigrants who are already in the territory and to those who will soon come to visit their families, to comply with the recommendations in force.

The municipality of Guarda will inform them “to commit to this code of conduct, to this way of being, which is to sanitize, protect with gloves and masks, with everything that is already part” of the current experience and appeals “don’t make it easy”.

“Because, in fact, we cannot yet put out the victory cry, because the virus is more resistant, less vulnerable, more multi-adaptable than what we imagined. And, therefore, we have to give science time so that it can defend us more fully and totally and, for that, we need, until then, everyone’s contribution”, he declared.

Carlos Chaves Monteiro recognizes that the presence of emigrants in the territory, traditionally with greater expression in the month of August, will help to boost the local economy.

Covid-19: Alentejo with occupancy rates of 32.6% in infirmary and 28.6% in ICU.

Évora, July 12, 2021 (Lusa) – Hospitals in Alentejo recorded, on Sunday, a total occupancy rate by patients with Covid-19 of 32.6% in the infirmary and 28.6% in intensive care units, revealed today source of the Regional Health Administration (ARS).

“In hospitals in the Alentejo region, on 11 July, there was an occupancy rate in wards of 32.6% and in intensive care units of 28.6%”, indicated the source of the ARS do Alentejo, in written response sent to Lusa agency.

According to the same source, on Sunday, in all hospitals in the region, 15 patients were hospitalized with Covid-19 in the ward and another six in intensive care units.

“The current capacity of beds dedicated to Covid-19 is 46 in the ward and 21 in intensive care units”, he stressed.

The source of the ARS of Alentejo pointed out that “the response capacity will always be adjusted and the necessary measures taken” according to the evolution of the epidemiological situation.

The data refer to the Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora (HESE) and the hospitals of the local health units (ULS) in the coast of Alentejo, North Alentejo and Baixo Alentejo.

AHRESP proposes plan with 10 measures to compensate accommodation and restaurant.

AHRESP sent the Government a plan to compensate tourist accommodation and the restoration of the effects of the pandemic with 10 measures, such as the reinforcement of the Apoiar program, a new simplified lay-off and credit and tax moratoria.

Entitled “Face the pandemic, ensure survival”, the plan is presented by the Association of Hotels, Catering and Similar Services of Portugal (AHRESP) as a “last attempt to save the most affected sectors” by the pandemic crisis.

The plan, released today, provides for 10 measures, advocating right away the replacement of the recently launched IVAucher program by the attribution of a “direct 50% discount”, applied directly at the time of consumption and with no limit on use.

This solution, argues AHRESP, would make it possible to overcome the fact that IVAucher does not have direct and universal access, “which could limit its scope”.

In line with the Government’s recent decision to allow restaurants to serve meals beyond 3:30 pm in high and very high risk municipalities, provided that customers do have a negative test for Covid-19 or present a digital certificate, this association advocates that tests and certificates be used to advance to a new level; that is, to allow tourist accommodation, restaurants and the like to no longer have time or capacity restrictions and for nightlife establishments to reopen.

Among the measures of the plan addressed to the Government, there is also a new stage of candidacies for the Apoiar program, providing support between 5,000 and 7,500 euros for self-employed entrepreneurs (ENI) without employees, with billing losses of between 15% and 50% or above 50%, respectively or between 12,500 and 18,750 euros for ENI in dependent workers, for the levels of invoicing breaks referred to.

Portugal sends Covid-19 vaccines to Guinea-Bissau.

On July 12, Portugal sends a first batch of 24,000 vaccines against Covid-19 to Guinea-Bissau to support the Guinean health authorities in implementing their national vaccination plan against this disease. Vaccines will be accompanied by the material necessary to enable their administration, including, in particular, syringes and needles.

This donation is part of the fulfilment of the political commitment assumed by the Portuguese Government to make available at least 5% of its batches of vaccines to Portuguese-speaking African countries and East Timor, and is part of the second phase of the Action Plan in the health response to Covid-19 pandemic between Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries and East Timor.

In this sense, the shipment of this batch of vaccines to Guinea Bissau follows others that have recently been sent to Cape Verde, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe. Also during this month of July, new batches will be sent to Angola and East Timor.

This action is the result of the joint effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language and the Embassy of Portugal in Bissau, and the Ministry of Health, through the General Directorate of Health, of the National Medicines Authority and Health Products (Infarmed) and the Task Force of the National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19 in Portugal.