Algarve Situation Report Saturday 16th January 2021

Covid-19
In the Algarve there are more than 328 confirmed cases since Tuesday bringing the total of 11,710 since the start of the pandemic. There are 10 more deaths, the highest daily total, bringing the total to 111.

New Covid-19 strain detected in Tavira and Faro
The new strain of Covid-19, originating in the South of England, and which has a greater transmissibility, was detected in the municipalities of Faro and Tavira.
The South Information found that the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge detected the new variant of Covid-19 in three samples collected in the municipality of Faro and one in the municipality of Tavira.
Two of the samples from the municipality of Faro were collected on the 21st of December and another on the 22nd.

The testing in the municipality of Tavira took place on December 20, according to the data consulted by our newspaper.
Last Friday, at the press conference to update the epidemiological situation in the Algarve , Ana Cristina Guerreiro, regional health delegate, revealed that, in view of the «rapid and large» increase in cases in the municipality of Tavira, the authorities suspected the presence of the new strain of the virus in the municipality, adding that samples had been sent to INSA.

To clarify doubts, samples from the municipality of Tavira followed to INSA and confirmation has now arrived, after that institute released, last Tuesday, a new update on the genetic analysis of the new coronavirus. In addition to Tavira, the new strain is also present in Faro.
Paulo Morgado, president of ARS Algarve, contacted by Sul Informação , stressed that the emergence of the new strain in the Algarve “was something that was expected, given that it has a greater ease of propagation” and that there is in the region “an Airport and a very large English community”.
https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2021/01/nova-estirpe-da-covid-19-detetada-em-tavira-e-faro/

In general confinement Albufeira municipality extends free take-away service

Following the new general confinement, in effect since midnight this Friday, and the general duty to remain at home, except for authorized trips, the municipality of Albufeira decided to extend support to the take-away service, under the Program “Present Municipality – Vale Restauração”. The service will operate daily, starting tomorrow (Saturday), January 16, and may accompany any renewals of the State of Emergency.
In a note issued to the media, the municipality speaks of a “very simple” process that can be used by all people, regardless of the area of ​​the municipality where they are located.
The first thing to do is consult the list of participating establishments at: https://www.cm-albufeira.pt/content/vale-restauracao , choose the restaurant or similar, check if the service is available, call and make yours order. You must leave your name, contact and postal address, agreeing the payment method. Then, the establishment from which the meal was ordered, should contact Albucoop on 289 58 32 30, which will designate the nearest transport to arrange delivery. Upon delivery, there will be no payment. The service will operate in compliance with the government’s opening hours. The service operates using the “Bolsa de Quilómetros” recently filed with Albucoop – Cooperativa de Rádio Táxis de Albufeira and is valid for all orders at participating establishments, during all days during the mandatory confinement period.

Lagoa among the safest tourist destinations in Europe

European Best Destinations, an organization based in Brussels, which aims to promote culture and tourism in Europe, recently launched the list of the safest European destinations to visit in pandemic times, taking into account respect for current health conditions and restrictions. Lagoa is one of the four Portuguese destinations that punctuate the list of thirteen suggestions in Europe.

In a statement, the municipality points out that among the criteria on which European Best Destinations was based to choose the destinations announced, is the number of active cases of Covid-19 per 100 thousand inhabitants, the number of deaths, the sanitary measures adopted, the recommendations from local authorities to tourists in hotels, local accommodations, shops and restaurants, and average health standards.
In addition to Lagoa, Alentejo, the Azores and Madeira are the other Portuguese destinations considered among the safest in Europe. The list also includes Monte-Carlo, in Monaco; Martinique, in the Lesser Antilles; Tahiti, French Polynesia; Asos, Corfu, Kokkari, Meteora, Ikaria and Cavtat, in Greece, said the municipality.

In the text published by European Best Destinations, which justifies the inclusion of Lagoa in the group of safer tourist destinations, it can be read: “Lagoa implemented measures from an early start to protect the local population and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Bringing together some of the most beautiful jewels in the Algarve such as the beaches of Cova Redonda or Praia Nova and its famous chapel, Praia da Marinha, the villages of Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Porches (…) Lagoa is probably one of the most beautiful and safe destinations”

Covid.19: JSD Loulé proposes measures to support companies and families in the municipality

The Social Democratic Youth of Loulé considers that in this time of pandemic, local commerce and entrepreneurs “have been left behind despite being the backbone and the engine of the local economy”.
In a statement, JSD Loulé confirms that it has sent today, to the Mayor of Loulé and to the Mayor of the Municipal Assembly, a proposal with measures to support companies and families.
The creation of a fund to support local companies; the exemption from payment of sanitation fees for waste water and urban waste in water billing for families and companies and the exemption from paying parking meters in areas surrounding traditional / local commerce, are measures contained in the proposal issued, as made known.

Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 13th January 2020

Covid.19: Vaccination has reached homes in the Algarve
https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Covid-vaccine-in-Azores.jpgYesterday began the vaccination plan against Covid-19 in the Residential Structures for the Elderly (ERPI) and in the Units of the Integrated Continuing Care Network (UCCI) in the Algarve.

According to the Regional Health Administration of the Algarve (ARS), the vaccination of ERPI users and professionals and RNCCI units in the municipalities of Tavira and Albufeira is already planned, considering that they are two of the municipalities with the highest incidence of Covid-19 in the region, but can be extended to other municipalities throughout the week.

The first to be vaccinated, this morning (Tuesday), were the users and professionals of the Quinta da Palmeira Centre Home in Albufeira and the Media Duration and Rehabilitation Unit of the Tavira Integrated Continuous Care Network. In the afternoon, users and professionals of the Loulé Convalescence Unit and of the Long Term and Maintenance Unit of Vila Real de Santo António have also been vaccinated, notes the ARS.

Within the scope of the National Vaccination Plan against Covid-19, in this first phase, in accordance with the priorities defined by the DGS and the respective delivery of vaccines to the country, in addition to health professionals, the vaccination of users and professionals of all the ERPI and the RNCCI units in the region, by health teams from the three Health Centre Groups of the Algarve that will travel to these structures during the months of January and February.

Loulé Chamber intensifies measures to combat Covid with reinforced tests

The Municipality of Loulé informed that it is reinforcing measures to combat the pandemic, at a time when, similarly to what happens throughout the national territory, the municipality registers an increase in the number of cases of Covid-19, now appearing in the high risk counties map.

In a statement, the municipality states that it “closely follows” the evolution of the situation, either through the Office of Crisis Management Covid-19, which continues to meet four times a week, or by the Municipal Civil Protection Commission which, every Thursday, analyses and decides new measures to mitigate the impact of the disease in Loulé.

The municipality says it has promoted weekly screening of Covid-19, by sampling 11 residential structures for the elderly with less than 50 users, in a partnership with the IPSS and the Algarve Biomedical Centre (ABC). In the three Louletan institutions with more than 50 users, the screenings are carried out by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, in partnership with ABC.

This Tuesday, nearly 400 tests were carried out in the municipality of Loulé on several fronts, namely at the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Loulé, in the village of Cortelha, with the school community and in response to other identified needs.

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AMAL-Intermunicipal-Council-Meeting-300x145-1.jpgPresident of AMAL says “new confinement price to pay for the irresponsibility” of families at Christmas

Portugal’s new confinement due to be announced on Wednesday is the “price to pay for the irresponsibility” of families at Christmas, said the president of the Algarve municipalities association (AMAL).

“It’s best we all prepare for a situation of general confinement. It is inevitable and will be the price to pay as a community for some people’s irresponsible behaviour,” António Pina said at the latest press conference about the state of the pandemic in the Algarve.

“It is up to each one of us to be responsible,” he said, adding that there’s “no point in asking the police, the government or anyone else to control the conscience and individual responsibility of each citizen”.

Meantime, regional health delegate Ana Cristina Guerreiro confirmed that most of the new Covid-19 cases have been linked to family gatherings during the festive period.

Said Guerreiro, the aim now is to keep the infected isolated and under surveillance, and to identify those with whom they have come into contact.

According to the health delegate, the virus has spread widely across the region, with only the smaller boroughs being spared thus far.

Portimão activates field hospital

The City Council of Portimão informs that, due to the worsening of the pandemic situation originated by Covid-19, this Sunday, January 10th, the field hospital installed since last April at the Portimão Arena was activated by the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA). that has been on standby throughout this period.

https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Portimao-hospital.jpgThe Portimão Campaign Hospital integrates, since the end of last year, phase 4 of the contingency plan established by CHUA, which is triggered when the reference hospital runs out of its inpatient capacity, requiring the use of external infrastructures.

The unit has 100 beds, 22 of which are articulated, together having three wards with single rooms (30 beds) and eight with multiple rooms (64 beds), in addition to a critically ill unit (six beds). It also has areas of clinical decision, medical support and sectorial meetings, as well as spaces for psychosocial support and provisioning, among other assets, not forgetting the areas of support and effort management of professionals who, from today on, are permanently, 24 hours a day, in this structure of response and reinforcement to the national health service (SNS).

This field hospital is duly equipped with medical equipment for monitoring, diagnosing and treating critically ill patients, representing an investment of 200 thousand euros by the City Council of Portimão.

Its benefits are not limited to the treatment of Covid-19, as it will also allow the Municipal Civil Protection to respond to other serious accident or catastrophe situations, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, large fires or other scenarios that cause a high number of victims.

Algarve Situation Report – Saturday 9th January 2021

Covid.19: Mayor of Olhão updates data that place the municipality at “very high risk“

Although the municipality has officially entered high risk – following the review of the Council of Ministers announced yesterday, the fact is that on the same day, the Mayor of Olhão, warned that the situation is higher.
In a Facebook post, the mayor explains that the high-risk statement refers to Wednesday’s figures, “where the Olhão index was 436.9, below the 480 index (number of new cases per 100 thousand inhabitants)”. However, according to António Pina, that index was exceeded yesterday, as a result of the 41 new cases registered” rising to the 513.5 index “, corresponding to the very high level of risk.

With 221 active cases, the mayor speaks of a situation that leads to the progressive worsening of restrictions, “due to the lack of common sense of some, in the exercise of the freedoms allowed until now”.

The official even says that “common sense is not inspected, nor decreed, in a free and democratic state”, criticising the “continuous indifference of a minority, to the calls and awareness, for a more responsible attitude and the fulfilment of measures for individual and collective”, he concludes.

Covid: 19: New restrictions lead to the cancellation of the 51st edition of the Grand Prix of the Kings

The municipality of Faro informs in a statement that, in light of the new restrictions announced this Thursday by the Council of Ministers, the organisation decided to cancel the 51st edition of the Grand Prix of the Kings, which was to take place on Saturday, January 9th, on the athletics track in Faro.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the organisation had prepared a special edition of this emblematic event of national athletics, entirely on track, limited to athletes affiliated with the Athletics Association of the Algarve instead of the traditional model that usually brings together federated and social athletes from all ages in the downtown streets.

However, in view of the measures announced yesterday by the Government that impose restrictions on movement between municipalities and starting at 1 pm during the weekend in most municipalities in the region, the organising entities (Municipality of Faro and Associação de Atletismo do Algarve, with support from Fagar) understood that the conditions were not met for the event, “even in a more restrained than usual format and with a Contingency Plan for the Algarve Athletics Association approved previously by the health authorities”, read in the same document.

Tavira

Tavira City Council has already asked the competent authorities to extend the classes on a non-face-to-face basis for another week

As a result of this review, the municipality of Tavira is at “extremely high” risk, in view of the number of new cases registered in the last few days, with 417 patients in isolation and an accumulated, [until yesterday] of 471 positive in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants.

In view of this delicate scenario, the Tavira City Council has already asked the competent authorities to extend the classes on a non-face-to-face basis for another week. The measure that took effect last Monday, was enacted by the Regional Health Authority.

In the update of the county’s epidemiological situation this Thursday, 44 more cases were confirmed and the death of a male Tavira, aged 81, who was diagnosed with Covid-19.

Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 6th January 2021

CHUA is receiving patients from Lisbon and Alentejo

Given the disrupted situation in many hospital units, the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) is receiving Covid patients from other areas of the country.

In a statement issued CHUA states that, at this stage, it has a reserve of “significant” capacity with regard to hospitalization and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) assigned to Covid-19.

According to the Board of Directors of CHUA, an increase in demand has been registered in the last few days, “which, thanks to the timely implementation of the contingency plan”, has allowed to receive users from hospitals in the areas of Central Lisbon and Alentejo.

Currently, CHUA is in phase 2 of the contingency plan for the response to covid-19, and the plan has the capacity to expand to phase 4. The Algarve First knows that in terms of infirmary the occupation in the CHUA round 65% and in the UCI the 53%.

On the first day of vaccination at the Faro and Portimão units, Horácio Guerreiro, CHUA’s clinical director, told our newspaper that the hospital centre has been working intensely on this pandemic issue, as it has always maintained its response capacity, “although the regional reality is relatively favourable, thanks to the cooperation of the population, local authorities and public health authorities that have allowed the infection to be controlled. As for the hospital, I can say that we have a very large reserve for the assistance of Covid cases, without prejudice to other needs”.

The clinically responsible person ensured that CHUA has the capacity to respond to any need arises, “except if it is an absolutely uncontrolled and catastrophic situation, but I can say that we are very far from exhausting our capabilities”, he assured.

Vilamoura International College Christmas Campaign raised a ton and a half of food

The Christmas Campaign of the International College of Vilamoura (CIV) managed to collect a ton and a half of food.

In addition to food, distributed by the Quarteira Social Refectory, Existir Association and Algarve Network for Families in Need, the community also collected clothes, shoes for children, women and men, books and toys, which were donated to the Quarteira Social Refectory, an institution which serves 160 cooked meals daily and provides hygiene services to individual people (baths, clothes and shoes) with social and financial problems.

This institution also supports 60 families each month with a basket of basic foods, similar to the Existir Association, which provides support to 20 families in the municipality of Loulé (in the areas of food, clothing, public baths and furniture) and who, with food received, according to its director Paulo Graça, allowed “to reinforce support to his community in a crisis and pandemic situation”.

Gunilla Zandin, a volunteer at Algarve Families in Need, reinforced the importance of this social support, distributed mainly by families in the municipalities of Loulé and Faro, but also by family nuclei in Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Lagoa and Lagos. In total, 200 families are supported.

Through the sale of raffles, whose draw will take place next Wednesday, January 6th, the CIV community maintained its support for the Big Hand Project, through which it sponsors five Mozambican children.

Mayor of Tavira suspends 2nd and 3rd cycle classes over concerns regarding increases in municipality

The increase in cases of Covid-19 in Tavira led the Regional Health Authority to suspend the 2nd and 3rd cycle classes and secondary education in the municipality, the Mayor of the city, Ana Paula Martins, confirmed to Lusa.

Speaking to Lusa, the mayor said she was “very concerned” about the “sudden” increase in cases registered in the municipality in the last week, which led the authorities to determine the suspension of classroom classes for the 2nd and 3rd cycles and secondary education of all school groups in the municipality.

In the statement in which it informed the municipality about the suspension of classes in these teaching cycles, which applies for a period of seven days starting today, the Algarve Regional Health Authority justified the measure with “the existence of 262 confirmed active cases of Covid-19, with a 14-day incidence rate greater than 960 cases / 100,000 inhabitants”.

This number of contagions leaves Tavira among the “extremely high risk” counties and the situation will be reassessed on January 10, added that official in the statement released by the municipality of Tavira on social networks.

“What I can say is that I see this increase with great concern, mainly because we are witnessing a virus – at least in comparison with what had happened here in the municipality – much more contagious, with a greater degree of contagion, and then also, this growth ”, said Ana Paula Martins to Lusa.

Algarve Situation Report – Wednesday 6th January 2021

CHUA is receiving patients from Lisbon and Alentejo

Given the disrupted situation in many hospital units, the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) is receiving Covid patients from other areas of the country.

In a statement issued CHUA states that, at this stage, it has a reserve of “significant” capacity with regard to hospitalization and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) assigned to Covid-19.

According to the Board of Directors of CHUA, an increase in demand has been registered in the last few days, “which, thanks to the timely implementation of the contingency plan”, has allowed to receive users from hospitals in the areas of Central Lisbon and Alentejo.

Currently, CHUA is in phase 2 of the contingency plan for the response to covid-19, and the plan has the capacity to expand to phase 4. The Algarve First knows that in terms of infirmary the occupation in the CHUA round 65% and in the UCI the 53%.

On the first day of vaccination at the Faro and Portimão units, Horácio Guerreiro, CHUA’s clinical director, told our newspaper that the hospital centre has been working intensely on this pandemic issue, as it has always maintained its response capacity, “although the regional reality is relatively favourable, thanks to the cooperation of the population, local authorities and public health authorities that have allowed the infection to be controlled. As for the hospital, I can say that we have a very large reserve for the assistance of Covid cases, without prejudice to other needs”.

The clinically responsible person ensured that CHUA has the capacity to respond to any need arises, “except if it is an absolutely uncontrolled and catastrophic situation, but I can say that we are very far from exhausting our capabilities”, he assured.

Vilamoura International College Christmas Campaign raised a ton and a half of food

The Christmas Campaign of the International College of Vilamoura (CIV) managed to collect a ton and a half of food.

In addition to food, distributed by the Quarteira Social Refectory, Existir Association and Algarve Network for Families in Need, the community also collected clothes, shoes for children, women and men, books and toys, which were donated to the Quarteira Social Refectory, an institution which serves 160 cooked meals daily and provides hygiene services to individual people (baths, clothes and shoes) with social and financial problems.

This institution also supports 60 families each month with a basket of basic foods, similar to the Existir Association, which provides support to 20 families in the municipality of Loulé (in the areas of food, clothing, public baths and furniture) and who, with food received, according to its director Paulo Graça, allowed “to reinforce support to his community in a crisis and pandemic situation”.

Gunilla Zandin, a volunteer at Algarve Families in Need, reinforced the importance of this social support, distributed mainly by families in the municipalities of Loulé and Faro, but also by family nuclei in Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Lagoa and Lagos. In total, 200 families are supported.

Through the sale of raffles, whose draw will take place next Wednesday, January 6th, the CIV community maintained its support for the Big Hand Project, through which it sponsors five Mozambican children.

Mayor of Tavira suspends 2nd and 3rd cycle classes over concerns regarding increases in municipality

The increase in cases of Covid-19 in Tavira led the Regional Health Authority to suspend the 2nd and 3rd cycle classes and secondary education in the municipality, the Mayor of the city, Ana Paula Martins, confirmed to Lusa.

Speaking to Lusa, the mayor said she was “very concerned” about the “sudden” increase in cases registered in the municipality in the last week, which led the authorities to determine the suspension of classroom classes for the 2nd and 3rd cycles and secondary education of all school groups in the municipality.

In the statement in which it informed the municipality about the suspension of classes in these teaching cycles, which applies for a period of seven days starting today, the Algarve Regional Health Authority justified the measure with “the existence of 262 confirmed active cases of Covid-19, with a 14-day incidence rate greater than 960 cases / 100,000 inhabitants”.

This number of contagions leaves Tavira among the “extremely high risk” counties and the situation will be reassessed on January 10, added that official in the statement released by the municipality of Tavira on social networks.

“What I can say is that I see this increase with great concern, mainly because we are witnessing a virus – at least in comparison with what had happened here in the municipality – much more contagious, with a greater degree of contagion, and then also, this growth ”, said Ana Paula Martins to Lusa.

 

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