Azores Situation Report Wednesday 3rd August 2022
From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
In the seven days from Friday 22nd July until Thursday 28th July there were 510 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 2,095 tests performed. 594 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117. There are 562 active cases, 84 fewer than the previous week.
There are 20 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 29th of July with Covid, this includes 4 patients that are in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.
117,766 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 46% of the population.
Published resolution that puts all islands on alert in the context of covid-19
Government Council Resolution No. 117/2022 of July 28, 2022, was published today in the Official Journal, which declares all the islands of the Azores in a situation of Alert.
Under the terms of this resolution, it remains mandatory to carry out a screening test for covid-19 when visiting users in health care establishments and therapeutic communities and social inclusion communities, as well as in temporary and emergency housing centres, residential structures for the elderly and other structures and responses dedicated to the elderly and people with disabilities.
The visit is subject to the presentation of a negative result of an RT-PCR test performed within the previous 72 hours, or a rapid antigen test validated by a healthcare professional performed within the previous 48 hours.
The results of the tests referred to in the previous number can only be presented in paper or digital format, excluding the SMS format from the proof. The presentation of a test with a negative result is waived when a recovery certificate or declaration of prophylactic isolation is presented, or when the patient is 12 years of age or younger.
Also, under the terms of the same resolution, the use of masks is defined as mandatory for accessing or staying in health establishments and services; residential or reception structures or home support services for vulnerable populations, the elderly or people with disabilities, as well as continuing care units, integrated into the Regional Network for Integrated Continuing Care.
Likewise, the mandatory use of a mask in the air transport of passengers remains, and in places where this is determined by the Regional Health Directorate. The mandatory use of masks is waived when, depending on the nature of the activities, their use is impracticable, and such waiver should be limited to what is strictly necessary, or when this is determined by the Regional Health Directorate.
The obligation to wear masks does not apply to people aged 10 years or less and can be waived upon presentation of a Medical Certificate of Multipurpose Disability or a medical declaration, in the case of people with cognitive, developmental and psychic disturbances. The medical declaration attesting that the person’s clinical condition is not consistent with the use of masks is also valid.
The text of the Resolution can be consulted in its entirety at:
https://jo.azores.gov.pt/api/public/anexo/-252967617?filename=Anexo.pdf
Dismantled drug trafficking organization in operation with PJ participation
The Judiciary Police (PJ) was part of a Europol operation that dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to international drug trafficking, announced the criminal police body, which, as part of this action, seized more than a ton of cocaine.
In addition to Portugal, police forces from Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain were also involved, with more than six tons of cocaine seized in global terms, with seizures in the Azores, Aruba, Ivory Coast and in Spain.
The investigation lasted several years and began with the seizure by the PJ of two sailboats in the Azores, in 2018 and 2019, which, in total, transported around 1,440 kilos of cocaine. In these seizures, seven foreign citizens were arrested, with the PJ clarifying that the national investigations into this case are concluded.
According to the released note, “Operation Florida” – as it was called by the PJ – managed to put an end to the activity of this criminal organization, which was mostly composed of Montenegrin citizens and used pleasure boats to introduce large quantities of drugs from South America.
“This operation, like others in which the Judiciary Police has participated, clearly demonstrates that only with recourse to international cooperation is it possible to effectively combat the phenomenon of drug trafficking, which constitutes a serious threat to most countries”, it can read. up in the communiqué.
According to Europol, which mediated the exchange of information between the different countries involved, during the investigation, 29 suspects were accused in different countries. A total of 37 searches were carried out and 12 people were arrested, in addition to the seizure of watches, bank cards, documents, ammunition, weapons, a vehicle, a speedboat and money.