Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 9th December 2020

Moncarapacho and Fuseta to receive 500 Christmas Baskets

The Union of Parishes of Moncarapacho and Fuseta, as has been customary every year during this festive season, will start distributing Christmas baskets to 500 needy families in the parish, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 December.

In this year of 2020, this solidarity action was reinforced in relation to previous years, given the increase in the number of precarious situations due to the pandemic caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The executive of the Union of Parishes of Moncarapacho and Fuseta intends, above all, to contribute so that those who need it most, can have a happier festive season, providing a more dignified and comforting Christmas dinner, in the best possible conditions.

Orders from more than 100 children await sponsors at Refood in Faro

More than 100 children supported by Refood de Faro can have a happier Christmas if the population sponsors an initiative by the institution to purchase gifts requested by children.

There are many letters hanging on the Christmas tree, all with requests from the children of families supported by the Faro branch, which can be collected by the community to fulfill the wishes of the youngest.

“Anyone in the community who wants to help us and provide a happier Christmas for these children, just go through Refood, take one of these letters, see the children’s wishes and provide one of the requests,” Carlos Reis, one of the coordinators, told Lusa in Faro from the institution, which collects and distributes surplus meals from restaurants, but also made by volunteers, and food baskets.

Refood will “keep in touch” with whoever takes the letter and once it has the gift it will be stored for later delivery to all children.

The idea also emerged in the confinement phase, when the voluntary movement took the baskets to the families’ homes and came across children who “were delirious with a box of cereal”, Paula Matias, also coordinator, told Lusa.

To try to “minimize the impact” that families are having this year with the crisis generated by the covid-19 pandemic, at a time when requests for food aid increased significantly, the organization seeks to provide more “some joy to these children ”.

Unstable cliff repairs at Porto de Mós beach Lagos

The Maritime Police followed, on Sunday morning, the works of controlled collapse of an installable cliff in the area to the east of Porto de Mós beach, in the municipality of Lagos.

Following a partial collapse of this cliff, on the 21st of November, the National Maritime Authority (AMN), said in a statement, that it was necessary to re-establish its stability, using controlled collapse works, which were co-ordinated by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA – ARH do Algarve).

On site were members of the Civil Protection of the Municipality of Lagos and four members of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Lagos with two vehicles, carrying out the security perimeter of the affected area, having interdicted the area to the east of Porto de Mós beach, as well as the access rails to the cliff.

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 4th December 2020

Deaths in the Algarve from Covid-19

A 92-year-old man, user of the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos, and a 70-year-old woman, resident in Faro, are the deaths by Covid-19 recorded this Friday, December 4th, in the Algarve.

Source of the Regional Health Authority told the South Information that both people “were hospitalized”. The 70-year-old woman even had “other associated comorbidities”.

Although the Directorate-General for Health recorded three new deaths in the Algarve yesterday, the Regional Health Authority said to our newspaper that “there are only two registered”.

This Friday, December 4th, the District Civil Protection Commission of Faro released its regional situation of Covid-19, where it reports a total of 5410 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic (plus 69).

As for those recovered, there are now over 45, out of a total of 3690. The number of active cases has increased (+22) to 1663.

In Algarve hospitals, 43 people are hospitalized, 14 of whom are in intensive care. 4 are ventilated.

In this situation, it is also advanced that a Rapid Social Security Intervention Brigade was activated to support a Residential Structure for Elderly People (ERPI) in the municipality of Olhão and a Support Structure for People with Disabilities in the municipality of Lagos.

https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2020/12/utente-de-lar-de-lagos-e-mulher-de-faro-sao-os-mais-recentes-obitos-por-covid-19/

Covid-19: Algarve with lowest hotel occupancy in the last 24 years in November

In November, the Algarve recorded the lowest occupancy per room in hotels and developments in the last 24 years, with an occupancy rate of 12.3%, more than 70% below the value registered in the same month in 2019.

According to data released today by the Association of Hotels and Enterprises of the Algarve (AHETA), since 2010, the year in which the occupation in the month of November in the Algarve was 26%, which was not so low.

Compared to 2019, hotel occupancy in November 2020 fell 71.7%, adds the largest regional association in the sector, one of the activities that has been most penalized by the covid-19 pandemic.

The British market was the one that most contributed to the decrease (86.9% less), followed by the German (84.6% less), Irish (56.1% less) and the domestic market (28.5% less).

Sales volume decreased by 72.5% compared to the same month of the previous year.

In accumulated values, the occupancy per bed has registered an average decrease of 56% since January and the volume of sales a decrease of 58.4%.

The data released by AHETA account for occupation in November since 1996 and until 2020.

Maximum occupancy per room was reached in 1999, with 55.8%.

Covid.19: Portimão implements “pioneering” measure to help lock transmission chains

In order to anticipate a possible increase in cases, following several outbreaks that appeared in the community in early November, the Portimão municipality says in a press release that the Permanent Municipal Subcommittee on Civil Protection for covid-19, decided to reinforce in the last weeks the nucleus of support to public health with six more senior technicians from the city council, dedicated to the areas of sport, culture and education, who join 12 more municipal technicians from other fields, already collaborating with this nucleus since March, a total of 18 elements.

In the same letter, it is mentioned that under the Municipal Emergency Plan for Civil Protection of Portimão, “a municipal command post was activated in the first few days of March, and these technicians are dependent on the operations cell, in a pioneering measure to National level”.

Installed in the Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Centre of Portimão, and operating in the fire department, the unit of technicians of the municipality is divided between school health, in view of the high number of classes in prophylactic isolation, due to the emergence of cases isolated in the various educational establishments (public and private) in the municipality, and direct support in monitoring people under active surveillance. It is an operation considered essential to lock transmission chains that could affect various segments of the community “and cause irreversible consequences”, underlines the same source.

The functioning of this exception centre is based on the creation of a dynamic that relies on the technical coordination of a “regulating doctor”, permanently in the room, and who directs the activities, also responding to situations that exceed the skills of the technicians, ensuring differentiated support, whenever the situation justifies it, like the method used in other aspects of the emergency.

The nucleus is reinforced with more health professionals (doctors and nurses) whenever the situation requires it.

Also in the scheduling of tests, a communication / information circuit was established through the Municipal Room for Operations and Emergency Management, with the support of the Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters of Portimão, whose employees also carry out this «essential» action, underlines the authority.

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 2nd December 2020

Covid-19 Statistics

An 80-year-old man, resident in Portimão, is the most recent fatal victim of Covid-19 in the Algarve and one of the two deaths reported today by the General Health Directorate. It will not be counted as being caused by the new coronavirus.

“One of the deaths recorded by DGS is that of a person who died and, after that, tested positive for Covid-19. However, this is not the cause of death, so we will not account for it and we will inform the National Health Authority” he said.

As for the man who died at Hospital de Portimão, “he was not connected to any home or to any outbreak” and “there is no information on related fatalities”.

Thus, there are now 55 deaths recorded by the Regional Health Authority, which also adds to the figures of the Algarve people who died from Covid-19 in the region, even though they lived outside the region – the DGS now counts 51, a number that should be corrected to 50 in tomorrow’s report.

Also according to regional data, there are today 37 new cases of Covid-19 in the Algarve, as many as those recovered. Even so, and due to the death that was registered, the active cases dropped by one, to 1,579.

https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2020/12/homem-de-portimao-e-a-mais-recente-vitima-mortal-da-covid-19-no-algarve-com-mapa/

HIV infections in the Algarve

After the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon, the Algarve is the second region in the country with the highest rate of diagnosis of people with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. Thus, in 2019, the number of cases diagnosed per 100,000 inhabitants was 13.7 in the district of Lisbon and 13.5 in the district of Faro.

In absolute terms, however, the Algarve is much less prominent, with 59 new cases of HIV infection (aged 15 years and over) diagnosed in 2019, being overtaken by Lisbon (391), North (162) and Centre (110).

Nevertheless, data on HIV infection, which, if left untreated, may give rise to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), is encouraging in Portugal, as the number of new cases has dropped again in 2019, maintaining the downward trend that has been observed since the year 2000. In other words, the year of 1999 is long gone, when 3,358 cases of HIV infection were diagnosed in Portugal.

Given the pandemic situation associated with the economic and social crisis, the municipality said that the usual distribution of the “Cabaz da Consoada” will reach this year a greater number of homes.

In São Brás de Alportel, Christmas will be “even more supportive”

In the impossibility of holding the traditional “Solidarity Dinner”, which seeks to provide the most vulnerable families with a special evening, with the help of local companies in offering all the food for their cooking, the municipality and the parish intend to repay the their solidarity, acquiring from many of these companies – butchers, sweets, food distributors – the foods that make up the basic basket of food needs.

In addition to food, the basket will also bring hygiene products this year. In this perspective, the Local Food Aid Platform launched the appeal to the community to collaborate in this campaign, with the delivery of personal and household hygiene and cleaning products, in the Cineteatro lobby, from Monday to Saturday, from December 3rd.

Also, in partnership with the Salvation Army and with the support of its partners, the solidarity project “Anjinhos de Natal” will be carried out, which awards children from needy families, gifts acquired according to their ages, for Christmas Eve.

Families who are socially vulnerable or who know someone who may need help should contact the Municipal Social Services located at the Community Support Center, through the contacts: tel. 289 840 020 or e-mail: solidariedade@cm-sbras.pt; or the Parish Council, at headquarters or by telephone: 289 842 174.

https://www.algarveprimeiro.com/d/em-sao-bras-de-alportel-o-natal-vai-ser-ainda-mais-solidario/35642-1

Algarve Situation Report Saturday 28th November

Covid-19 statistics from ARS

The regional Health Authority released the following statistics and charts today 27th November

Today, the Algarve registers three more deaths by Covid-19, which occurred in Albufeira, Faro and Portimão, indicates the data from the Regional Health Authority, to which the South Information had access.

In the case of Portimão, our newspaper found that the victim is a 92-year-old woman, who was admitted to the hospital in that city. It is said that she was infected by a maid, who supported her in the house where she lived.

The South Information tried to get more information from the Health Authority on the other two deaths, but so far received no reply.

The Algarve region now totals 52 deaths, since the beginning of the pandemic.

However, according to regional data, the Algarve yesterday exceeded 5000 cases of Covid-19, in cumulative terms. Thus, since March, 5020 infections caused by the new coronavirus have already been registered in the region.

Despite this, since there are now 98 more people recovered (for a total of 3479), the number of active cases has even dropped in 19, to 1489.

As for patients with Covid-19, admitted to the hospitals in Faro and Portimão, there is this Friday minus 3 (total of 40). There is also one less ventilated patient, with the same 11 remaining in the ICU.

In the municipalities of Alcoutim, Aljezur and Castro Marim, there has been no new infection since yesterday. In Monchique, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António there were only 1 new case. Read further information in the report here.

HPA Group provides drive-through Covid-19 screening tests at Portimão Arena

Hospital Particular do Algarve in Alvor is carrying out Covid-19 screening tests in a drive-through system at the Portimão Arena.

“After CLÍDIS in Sines and the Hospital Particular da Madeira in Funchal, the Grupo HPA Saúde now also offers Drive Through Covid-19 Screening Tests at the Portimão Parque de Feiras e Exposições (Portimão Arena),” said the health group in a press statement.

Screening tests are carried out daily, from Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 6pm by UniLabs, partner of the Grupo HPA Saúde in the laboratory area.

RT-PCR testing is available for both those carrying a medical prescription issued by the national health service SNS, or individuals who wish to be tested privately (cost is €150).

Prior booking is necessary through this link or by telephoning the Call Center on +351 282 420 400.

This screening system is exclusively for “drive-through” testing and the vehicle’s number plate must be provided, as well as an insurance policy if any. Booking is mandatory and limited to three persons per car. Read further information here.

Algarve Report Wednesday November 25th 2020

Covid.19: Portimão has 230 cases accumulated in the last 14 days

The municipality mentions on Facebook that “the outlook is still not very favourable”. The number of cases [230] is not far from 266, a limit that represents the entrance of the municipality to the level of “very high and extremely high risk” and the implementation of more restrictions.

The Câmara de Portimão appeals, “so that each one of us can protect himself, avoiding risky behaviours as much as possible”. It is recalled that in terms of prevention, the mayor Isilda Gomes, was last Saturday morning in an awareness campaign in front of the Market of Av. S. João de Deus, within the scope of the campaign “I want my Christmas. I choose to comply! ”.

More than 50 community masks, among other information products related to the pandemic, were delivered to citizens, kits and distributed.

62 inmates and 4 Faro prison officials test positive for Covid-19

There are 62 inmates and four workers from the Faro Prison Established infected with the new coronavirus, the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP) revealed today.

In a statement, this entity explained that, after a prisoner from the Faro prison tested positive, therefore the prison facility’s contingency plan was activated.

This involved quarantining inmates and testing them, as well as employees, which happened on Saturday.

This Sunday, the results were known, which point to the existence of 66 cases.

The positive prisoners, who are asymptomatic, were all placed in the same wing of the prison, where they are in isolation and under clinical supervision, according to the directorate-general.

In all of the country, there are currently 351 cases of active prisoners, out of a total of 11,226, and 100 cases clinically recovered, including two children, daughters of prisoners in the Tires Prison.

Among the workers on the board, there are 74 active cases, in addition to 10 more external workers.

https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2020/11/62-reclusos-e-4-funcionarios-do-ep-de-faro-testam-positivo-a-covid-19/

In a time of pandemic Father Christmas sleighs through Loulé, Quarteira and Almancil

Due to the pandemic, the municipality of Loulé says it has adapted the Christmas animation program in the municipality of Loulé to the new normality, “so that the population can celebrate this season and the commerce develop its activity, in complete safety”.

‘Christmas to stroll’ was the way found for the municipality to celebrate Christmas, because, in this season, and especially this year, it is necessary to reinforce the spirit of mutual help and support the most unprotected”, the municipal executive said in a statement.

On December 5th, Christmas lights will be switched on, which until the Kings Day (January 6th) will bring “a special charm to the cities, towns and villages of the municipality, spreading the spirit of the time and contributing to the dynamism of the local economy”, underlines the same document.

Father Christmas, accompanied by his elves and Mother Christmas, will show himself differently, traveling through the various arteries of the sled locations.

This “Santa Claus Walk” through the city of Loulé will take place on December 5th, in the afternoon. In Quarteira, this initiative will take place on the morning of December 6, and in Almancil it will take place on the same day, in the afternoon. Santa Claus’ sleigh will again take to the streets, on the 19th, in Loulé, and the 20th, in Quarteira and Almancil.

Situation Report Algarve– 21st November 2020

Municipality of VRSA grants support to the Food Bank against Hunger

The Municipal Council of Vila Real de Santo António, in an ordinary meeting, attributed a financial contribution to the Food Bank against Hunger in the Algarve in the amount of 10 thousand euros. The measure aims to reinforce the support provided by this institution in the municipality, which, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has felt a worsening in the social scenario and an increase in requests for help.

Still in this context, the municipality says in a statement that the measure, “aims to respond to the appeal expressed by the Food Bank that, in the absence of food collection campaigns in supermarkets, due to confinement and security measures, it is prevented from collecting goods and so to face the increase in the number of families that have requested food support from partner entities ». In the municipality of VRSA, the Food Bank Against Hunger supplies six Private Social Solidarity Institutions, namely, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, the Associação Beneficência Mão Amiga, Refood, the Portuguese Red Cross, SSVP – Confederação Nª. Mrs. Encarnação and Associação Pentecostal Trombeta Eterna.

October unemployment rose 134.2% in the Algarve

angloinfo.com

The number of unemployed registered in October, in employment centres in the Algarve, rose 134.2% in relation to the same month last year, according to data released today, 19 November, by the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP). In all other regions of mainland Portugal, it went down. In relation to September this year, unemployment in the Algarve increased by 13%. The Algarve is really the only region of mainland Portugal in which, compared to last month, unemployment has increased. The same happened in the Azores (+ 0.1%) and Madeira (+ 0.4%).

Lisbon and Tagus Valley, the region that had the second largest increase, stood at + 52.9%. Alentejo registered an increase of 19.4%. At the national level, the increase was 34.5%. According to the IEFP statistical bulletin, at the end of October, there were 24,088 enrolled in employment centres in the Algarve, 13,803 more than in the same month of 2019. In relation to September this year, there are more than 2,778 unemployed enrolled (+ 13%).

With regard to the total number of enrolments in the employment services of the Algarve, in October, the percentage increase in relation to the same period is 43.8%. In all, there were 5660 IEFP registrations, 1725 more than in August 2019 and 1973 (+ 53.5%) than in August this year. However, a worker can make more than one registration during the month, for example, if he leaves the job during the trial period, on his own initiative, or on the initiative of the employer. According to IEFP data, there were 259 job offers in October, 9 fewer than in the previous month.

https://www.sulinformacao.pt/2020/11/desemprego-registado-em-outubro-subiu-1342-no-algarve/

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