Madeira Situation Report Thursday 20th January 2022
By Daniel Fernandes
Covid-19 update
There were 13,740 new Covid-19 cases, 8,167 recoveries and 5 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report, which was published a week ago. Once again, the vast majority of new Covid-19 cases were locally transmitted
On Wednesday, there were 1,839 new Covid-19 cases (50 imported cases & 1,789 cases of local transmission) and 479 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 87, 5 of whom were in intensive care.
On Thursday, there were 2,166 new Covid-19 cases (51 imported cases & 2,115 cases of local transmission), 1,544 recoveries and 1 death. An 82-year-old male patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital. Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital increased to 88, 5 of whom were in intensive care.
On Friday, there were 2,006 new Covid-19 cases (25 imported cases & 1,981 cases of local transmission) and 647 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 83, 4 of whom were in intensive care.
On Saturday, there were 2,034 new Covid-19 cases (64 imported cases & 1,970 cases of local transmission), 1,105 recoveries and 2 deaths. A 64-year-old female patient and an 80-year-old male patient, who were vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital increased to 85, 3 of whom were in intensive care.
On Sunday, there were 1,455 new Covid-19 cases (20 imported cases & 1,435 cases of local transmission), 1,030 recoveries and 1 death. An 83-year-old male patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 75, 3 of whom were in intensive care.
On Monday, there were 2,071 new Covid-19 cases (17 imported cases & 2,054 cases of local transmission), 1,681 recoveries and 1 death. A 94-year-old male patient, who was vaccinated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19 at Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 73, 1 of whom was in intensive care.
And on Tuesday, there were 2,169 new Covid-19 cases (29 imported cases & 2,140 cases of local transmission) and 1,681 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 76, 1 of whom was in intensive care.
There were 14,494 active cases on Tuesday, of which 317 had been imported while the remaining 14,177 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 49,580 cases, 34,939 recoveries and 147 deaths.
As of Tuesday, there were 79 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 14,339 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 76 patients in hospital, 1 of whom in intensive care.
On the same day, there were 1,867 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.
Also on the same day, there were 19,037 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 7,044 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 rapid antigen tests, a total of 1,573,324 tests had been carried out by January 18th, as part of a mass testing campaign.
The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 3,192 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it had received 84,064 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 11 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it has received 4,038 calls.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/13/morreu-mais-um-doente-com-covid-19-e-o-143o/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/15/morreu-mais-uma-pessoa-com-covid-19-uma-doente-de-64-anos/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/16/1455-novos-casos-de-covid-19-13-617-casos-activos-na-ram/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/17/morreu-na-madeira-mais-um-doente-com-covid-19/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/18/mais-2-169-casos-de-covid-19-14494-casos-activos-na-ram/
Hospital visits suspended for another 10 days
On January 15th, SESARAM (Madeira Health Service) announced that hospital visits to all SESARAM hospitals (Dr. João de Almada; Marmeleiros; Dr. Nélio Mendonça) will remain suspended for an additional period of 10 days. This is a precautionary measure due to the current number of Covid-19 infections in the Region.
For more information, contact Balcão do Cidadão, which is located in the entrance hall to Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, by calling 291705763 or 961186549 or send an email to balcaocidadao@sesasam.pt (for inquiries related to the different hospitals and health centres – Monday to Friday between 08h30 and 19h00 & Saturday/Bank Holliday between 10h00 and 13h00).
If someone is hospitalised after being seen at the ICU unit, the Family Support Office (Gabinete de Apoio à Família) can be contacted by calling 291705608 between 08h00 and 00h00 (everyday).
Remarks from the Regional Health and Civil Protection Secretary
Pedro Ramos, Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary, said mass testing helped to protect the population after the arrival of the Omicron variant. However, he added that mass testing cannot take place for ever. Indeed, he stressed the most important thing is for the population to vaccinate against Covid-10
He announced that by January 16th, 40% of the population had received a booster shot. Polling station staff for the upcoming Legislative Election were also inoculated with a booster shot.
He said the Region is waiting for the European Union to provide further information on whether there should be a 4th dose of the Covid-19 vaccine..
He was also pleased that the increase in the number of infections did not result in greater pressure on the regional health service.
Covid-19 outbreak onboard Portuguese Navy corvette
Regarding the Covid-19 outbreak onboard NRP António Enes, a Portuguese Navy corvette that had been deployed on patrol in Madeira to replace another vessel that had experienced a mechanical issue, the number of infected sailors increased to 41 on January 13th. As a result, all infected sailors were moved to a hotel in Porto Santo, where they stayed until recovering. All sailors had presented light symptoms.
By January 17th, 31 sailors had recovered and returned to the corvette. An additional 20 sailors had remained in prophylactic isolation in a dedicated hotel. The Covid-19 outbreak did not result in any negative operational issues because NRP Mondego had also been deployed on patrol.
Madeira Health Service Helpline for the elderly
SESARAM (Madeira Health Service) announced its helpline for the elderly is now available. The helpline is called “Linha de Apoio ao Idoso” (Helpline for the Elderly). Its number is 969 320 822. In January, it will be available from 09h00 to 24h00.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/18/sesaram-divulga-linha-de-apoio-ao-idoso/
Vaccine shipments
A shipment of 5,850 Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines arrived in Funchal on January 14th. This will enable the regional Covid-19 vaccination to continue.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/14/chegaram-mais-5850-vacinas-da-pfizer-a-ram/
Direct New York flights to return in March
Flights between Madeira and New York have been temporarily suspended as a result of Covid-19 developments. This weekly route had started on November 30th. The flight is operated by Azores Airlines. These flights will resume in March and there is already strong customer demand for travel from the USA to the Region. This route will operate until May.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/01/14/voos-directos-entre-nova-iorque-e-a-ram-prolongados-ate-maio/
Power cut
Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to scheduled work on the electricity supply network. These cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:
FAJÃ DA OVELHA
January 20th – 09h00 to 13h30
– São Lourenço (Precipício)
FAJÃ DA OVELHA
January 20th – 09h00 to 10h00 & 12h30 to 13h30
– Falcões
– Massapez
PAUL DO MAR
January 20th – 09h00 to 10h00
– Tunnel (Túnel)
FUNCHAL
January 20th – 09h00 to 12h0
– Caminho dos Lombos
FUNCHAL
January 21st – 00h00 to 04h00
– Avenida Arriaga (number 33) (Café Ritz Madeira)
FUNCHAL
January 20th and January 21st – 09h00 to 11h30 & 14h00 to 16h00
– Estrada do Lombo Chão (numbers 1 to 19)
– Impasse das Balceiras
– Vereda das Balceiras (numbers 4 to 37)
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 number (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187