Madeira Situation Report Saturday 17th July 2021
By Daniel Fernandes
Covid-19 update
There were 77 new Covid-19 cases, 27 recoveries and no deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report. On Friday, there was a big increase in the number of cases (41 new cases).
On Wednesday, there were 23 new Covid-19 cases (6 imported cases – 2 from Denmark, 2 from the Czech Republic, 1 from Northern Portugal, 1 from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region & 17 cases of local transmission) and 5 recoveries. There were 5 patients in hospital, 2 of whom in intensive care.
On Thursday, there were 13 new Covid-19 cases (from 2 passengers who had arrived from Northern Portugal, 1 passenger who had arrived from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region and 10 cases of local transmission) and 14 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 7, 2 of whom were in intensive care.
And on Friday, there were 41 new Covid-19 cases (16 imported cases – 5 from the UK, 3 from France, 1 from Greece, 5 from Northern Portugal, 2 from the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region & 25 cases of local transmission) and 8 recoveries. The number of patients at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça remained the same as they day before.
There were 170 active cases on Friday, of which 60 had been imported while the other 110 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Friday, there had been 9,881 cases, 9,638 recoveries and 73 deaths.
On Friday, there were 40 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 123 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 7 patients in hospital, 2 of whom in intensive care.
On the same day, there were 98 suspected cases under epidemiological investigation and analysis, which were all linked to patients who tested positive for Covid-19, to calls made to the SRS24 helpline, to referrals by SESARAM (Madeira Regional Health Service) and to airport screening.
There were 31,715 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 413 people, who had contact with positive cases, being monitored by the health authorities of several Madeira municipalities and of Porto Santo.
As for Covid-19 testing on passengers who had arrived at Funchal and Porto Santo airports, 260,006 samples had been collected until Friday (at 15h30). By Friday, 520,496 samples from RT-PCR tests had been processed and 73,563 antigen rapid tests had been carried out in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 907 calls from Tuesday to Friday. Overall, it had received 56,632 calls.
The Covid-19 mental health helpline (Linha de Acompanhamento Psicológico da Direção Regional de Saúde – 291 212 399 – available every day from 09h00 to 21h00), which was set up to provide emotional and mental support to anyone in Madeira received 5 calls from Tuesday to Friday . Overall, it has received 3,741 calls.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/07/14/23-novos-casos-de-covid-19-5-recuperados-74-suspeitos/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/07/15/13-novos-casos-de-covid-19-14-recuperados-99-suspeitos/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/07/16/subida-acentuada-de-casos-de-covid-19-hoje-no-arquipelago/
Covid-19 vaccination update
As of July 16th, 260,915 Covid-19 vaccine doses had been administered in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (149,484 1st doses & 111,431 2nd doses/full vaccination). The aim is for 175,000 people to be fully vaccinated.
On July 14th, Covid-19 vaccination started on athletes who take part in national and international sports competitions, particularly those from Clube Desportivo Nacional. It started at 15h30 and Pedro Ramos (Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary) and Jorge Carvalho (Madeira’s Education Secretary) were in Madeira Tecnopólo (a vaccination centre in Funchal) to witness this moment.
https://web.sesaram.pt/COVID19_INFO
Police to continue restaurants to ensure compliance with pandemic restrictions
The Madeira Regional Government renewed the pandemic restrictions. As such, the PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública – Public Security Police) warned it will continue to monitor businesses such as restaurants to ensure compliance with the restrictions. These include compliance with the closing time (midnight), the maximum capacity limit of 2/3 (both indoors and outdoors), the prohibition of food consumption at the counter. The PSP appealed for customers and business owners to comply with the rules. It also reminded that the curfew lasts from 01h00 until 05h00, social distancing is mandatory; all people aged 6 or older must wear a face mask in order to enter and remain indoors or to use public transport; alcohol consumption in public areas and near commercial establishments is forbidden; and no customers can remain inside a restaurant, bar or similar establishment after its closing time. It appealed for people to comply with all rules and recommendations and warned that failure to comply may result in a crime of disobedience and/or in a fine.
Regional Government do not rule out new restrictions if there is an increase in infections
Miguel Albuquerque (President of the Madeira Regional Government) said that the current restrictions will continue and are enough. He also warned that if the number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations increase in the Region, the Regional Government could decide to impose new restrictions. He explained these numbers could eventually increase because the Region is receiving more and more tourists and reminded of the reopening of the British market. Nevertheless, he assured that this situation will not threaten the capacity of the regional health system.
GNR continue to search for missing Polish tourist
The GNR police (Guarda Nacional Republicana – Republican National Guard) will continue to search the mountains in Calheta, where Michal Kozec went missing on July 7th. It has searched in areas thought to be risky and that had not been searched before. His brother has also been organising several search teams that have already used drones while searching in several areas. The GNR have used several search and rescue means, including police dogs. The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública – Public Security Police) and the PJ (Polícia Judiciária – Judiciary Police) are also investigating his disappearance.
https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/135078/GNR_continua_buscas_para_encontrar_polaco
Extra ferry services between Madeira and Porto Santo
Porto Santo Line (a ferry company) announced it will have extra ferry services connecting the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo on August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. The aim is to provide passengers with alternative timetables in order to increase demand for travel to Porto Santo. This will be the new timetable on these days:
Funchal – Porto Santo: 08h00 & 16h30 (extra service)
Porto Santo – Funchal: 13h00 (extra service) & 20h00 (new service)
https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/135154/Porto_Santo_Line_com_viagens_extraordinarias_em_agosto_
Power cut
Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to planned work on the electricity supply network. These works cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:
FUNCHAL
July 20th – 09h00 to 11h30
– Rua 3 da Urbanização da Bela Vista (numbers 7 and 11)
– Rua 1 da Encosta do Pico dos Barcelos
July 21st – 09h00 to 11h30
– Rua do Cabrestante (numbers 24 to 404)
– Entrada do Cabrestante (numbers 3 to 8)
July 22nd – 09h00 to 11h30
– Caminho da Levada dos Barreiros (numbers 38 to 58)
– Caminho da Nazaré (numbers 12 to 39)
– Rua do Curaçau (number 40)
PORTO DA CRUZ
July 19th – 09h30 to 12h30
– Caminho do Lameiro e Terra Batista
CANIÇAL
July 20th – 10h00 to 11h00
– Palmeira de Baixo (partial)
– Palmeira de Cima (partial)
– Caminho da Vinha (partial)
– Rua da Palmeira (partial)
However, power could be restored during the time frame mentioned above. So, for safety purposes, it should be assumed that there will be power at any time during this period of time.
If necessary, customers can contact the free Customer Support Service (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.