Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 20^th October 2021

Covid-19: Simultaneous Flu and New Coronavirus Vaccination Stared on Monday

The simultaneous administration of vaccines against influenza and covid-19 started on Monday in mainland Portugal, with the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) planning to vaccinate around two million people in this modality.

Health director-general Graça Freitas assured, on Friday, that “everything is prepared” for the co-administration of the two vaccines to people aged 65 and over as of today, a practice carried out in Portugal and in the world, within the scope of national vaccination programs, which aim to optimize the recommended vaccination schedules.

The DGS said that the available data analysed by the Technical Commission on Vaccination against covid-19, which includes the results of the World Health Organization expert group meeting on vaccination, show that there is an acceptable safety profile after taking of the two vaccines.

Furthermore, the available information suggests the maintenance of the efficacy of both vaccines, as, to date, there is no evidence of altered immune response.

The administration of the third dose of the vaccine against covid-19 is underway in Portugal, with priority being given to the elderly aged 80 and over and users of homes and long-term care, and at this stage, people aged 65 and over. 

Loulé Civil Protection raises awareness of the risk of floods and floods

The Municipality of Loulé, through the Municipal Civil Protection Service, promoted with its fellow citizens an action to raise awareness about the proximity of the time of year where there is a greater risk of flooding and flooding in the municipality.

The municipality reports in a statement that leaflets and posters with preventive and self-protection information were distributed in various public, commercial and private spaces. “Municipal technicians also left advice on clearing and monitoring rainwater drainage systems and removing aggregates and other objects that could be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water, among others”, explains the municipality.

The initiative was planned to provide direct contact with the population of the parishes of S. Clemente, S. Sebastião, Boliqueime, Almancil and Quarteira, considered the most vulnerable in this area.

“We must be aware of the effects of the first heavy rainfall, often accompanied by gusts of wind and increased sea agitation. During this period, it is important to be prepared to adopt protective measures, such as unblocking drainage systems and roofs, fixing loose structures and carefully circulating along trees and riverside areas”, clarifies the Municipal Civil Protection Service, which had the cooperation of the Fire Department in this action.

Ministry of Agriculture gives “direct support” to bee farms affected by fires in the Algarve

The Algarve Regional Directorate for Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP Algarve) informed that it continues to provide direct support to livestock producers and beekeepers in areas affected by forest fires in August, in the municipalities of Castro Marim, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

In a statement, DRAP Algarve says it has started this week the distribution of sugar to bee colonies, totalling 8,000 kg, covering a total of 15 beekeepers in the affected areas.

With the arrival of a new shipment of hay and cattle feed, the Regional Directorate continues to directly deliver emergency animal feed to livestock producers who need it.

In this phase, approximately 13,500Kg of straw and 8100Kg of cereals (corn and barley) will be distributed by 11 small ruminant producers.

It should be recalled that due to the fires this summer in the Algarve, a large percentage of agricultural land destined for pasture, as well as places for keeping animal food, such as haystacks, were consumed by fire, which is why this extraordinary support for entrepreneurs was carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, and has been “of extreme importance for livestock and bee holdings located in the affected areas”, reads the same document.