On 26 March, the Administração Regional de Saúde do Algarve- known as the ARS (The Regional Health Administration for the Algarve) opened 3 COVID-19 Dedicated Areas (ADC-Community) for primary health care- one in each of the Health Centres (Portimão, Olhão and Tavira); this was triggered by the start of Portugal’s start of the pandemic mitigation phase. In addition to the opening of the ADC–Community, ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the agreed laboratories of the region, created a network of 13 COVID-19 collection stations, distributed throughout the Algarve and which will serve to carry out the tests prescribed in the ADC-Community/Health Centres and via SNS24.
These areas, created in the Health Centres of Portimão, Olhão and Tavira, are only intended to assist health service users suspected of infection by SARS-CoV-2, by teams consisting of Doctors, Nurses, Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians, Senior Social Service Technicians, Operational Assistants, Administrative and cleaning teams.
The ADC-Community of Health Centres consist of observation rooms, a reception and a waiting area and toilet facilities separate from other users and will operate in a completely separate space from the care of patients who do not present symptoms of COVID-19.
In the University Hospital Centre of the Algarve there are already two Dedicated Areas COVID-19 (ADC – Emergency Service), 24 hours a day, together with the emergency services of the hospital unit at Faro and Portimão.
ARS ALGARVE REITERATES THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE WHO PRESENT RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS OR FEVER, BEFORE MOVING TO THESE AREAS DEDICATED TO COVID-19, THAT THEY MUST IN THE FIRST INSTANCE CONTACT SNS24 (808 24 24 24) WHO, AFTER EVALUATION, WILL REFER THEM TO THE MOST APPROPRIATE HEALTH SERVICE.
ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the 3 ACeS (Barlavento, Central e Sotavento), will progressively expand, according to the needs, the number of ADC – Community, in the main Health Centres of the Region.
In addition to the opening of ADC – Community in Primary Health Care, ARS Algarve, in conjunction with the partner laboratories of the region, has set up a network of 13 covid-19 collection stations, distributed throughout the Algarve and these will serve to carry out the tests prescribed in the ADC-Community/Health Centres and through the SNS24.
In the context of the reorganisation of delivery of urgent care, in this phase of ongoing mitigation we also inform you that the 4 Serviços de Urgência Básica – SUB (Basic Emergency Services) of the University Hospital Centre of the Algarve, ( Lagos, Loulé, Albufeira and Vila Real de Santo António ) are operating exclusively for the care of non-COVID-19 patients, with the aim of ensuring the necessary access and safety in the treatment and provision of health care to the entire population.
Hours of service of the Dedicated Areas COVID -19 (ADC) Community in Health Centres
(Note the times may be extended, if justified)
Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Barlavento
Área Dedicada COVID -19 | Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Portimão
Morada: Rua Manuel Dias Barão, Sítio de São Sebastião – 8500-723 Portimão
Horário: Todos os dias úteis, fins de semana e feriados: 8h às 20h
Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Central
Área Dedicada COVID -19 |Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Olhão
Morada: Rua Antero Nobre – 8700-240 Olhão
Horário: De segunda a sexta-feira: 8h às 20h | Aos fins de semana: 9h às 18h
Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde (ACeS) Sotavento
Área Dedicada COVID -19 |Comunidade no Centro de Saúde de Tavira
Morada: Estrada de Santa Luzia, Sítio da Foz, Santa Luzia – 8800-534 Tavira
Horário: De segunda à sexta-feira: 8h às 20h |Sábados, domingos e feriados das 9h às 17 h
Consultar: Rede de postos de colheita de apoio específico às Áreas Dedicadas COVID-19 nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários (ADC-Comunidade) do Algarve (atualizado a 7 de abril de 2020)