Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 22nd December 2021
By Daniel Fernandes
Covid-19 update
There were 1,174 new Covid-19 cases, 663 recoveries and 3 deaths from Covid-19 in Madeira since the previous Madeira Situation Report, which was published a week ago. Although there was a fall in the number of recoveries, the number of new cases and deaths also fell slightly. Nevertheless, the number of new and active cases remains high, in comparison to what happened during previous waves. Indeed, the highest number of new cases in a single day was recorded in the last week.
Pedro Ramos, Madeira’s Health and Civil Protection Secretary said a part of the population have not been complying with Covid-19 guidance, have been careless and irresponsible. He gave the example of Porto Santo, which has a 96% Covid-19 vaccination rate yet had 85 active cases on Sunday. According to him, there should have been fewer cases, but some people have not been complying with the relevant guidance.
On Wednesday, there were 156 new Covid-19 cases (4 imported cases & 152 cases of local transmission), 105 recoveries and 1 death. An 85-year-old female patient, who was partly 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 36, 5 of whom were in intensive care.
On Thursday, there were 152 new Covid-19 cases (12 imported cases & 140 cases of local transmission), 57 recoveries and 1 death. An 89-year-old male patient, who was not 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 35, 4 of whom were in intensive care.
On Friday, there were 103 new Covid-19 cases (3 imported cases & 100 cases of local transmission) and 106 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital decreased to 34, 5 of whom were in intensive care.
On Saturday, there were 246 new Covid-19 cases (7 imported cases & 239 cases of local transmission) and 98 recoveries. This was the highest ever number of new Covid-19 cases in a single day. The number of patients in hospital, including in intensive care, remained the same as the day before.
On Sunday, there were 163 new Covid-19 cases (14 imported cases & 149 cases of local transmission) and 89 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 39, 2 of whom were in intensive care.
On Monday, there were 165 new Covid-19 cases (14 imported cases & 151 cases of local transmission) and 111 recoveries and 1 death. An 81-year-old male patient, who had not been inoculated against Covid-19 and had pre-existing conditions, died with Covid-19. The number of patients in hospital increased to 44, 2 of whom were in intensive care.
And on Tuesday, there were 189 new Covid-19 cases (8 imported cases & 181 cases of local transmission) and 97 recoveries. The number of patients in hospital increased to 53, 1 of whom was in intensive care.
There were 1,445 active cases on Tuesday, of which 70 had been imported while the other 1,375 cases had been a result of local transmission. As of Tuesday, there had been 15,199 cases, 14,805 recoveries and 123 deaths.
As of Tuesday, there were 99 patients in isolation in a dedicated hotel, 1,293 patients in isolation in their own accommodation and 53 patients in hospital, 1 of whom in intensive care. On Sunday, half to the hospitalised patients had not been inoculated.
On the same day, there were 358 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 30,927 travellers under monitoring by the health authorities. Monitoring is being carried out through the ‘MadeiraSafe’ app. There were also 409 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, 321,639 samples had been collected until Tuesday (at 15h30).
As for Covid-19 rapid antigen tests, a total of 854,829 tests had been carried out by December 12th, 780,618 of which as part of mass testing campaigns.
By Tuesday, 756,794 samples from RT-PCR tests had been processed in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The SRS 24 helpline (Regional Health Service – 800 24 24 20) received 2,649 calls in the last 7 days. Overall, it had received 75,140 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 3,973 calls.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/16/morreu-mais-uma-pessoa-com-covid-19-na-ram/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/19/163-novos-casos-de-covid-19-1300-casos-activos-na-ram/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/20/morreu-mais-um-homem-com-covid-19-na-ram-ja-sao-123-pessoas/
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/20/165-novos-casos-de-covid-19-1353-casos-activos-na-regiao/
Mandatory use of face masks in public spaces
The use of face masks in public spaces is mandatory for people aged 6 or older (unless there is a medical exemption). Face masks must be worn to enter, to move around and to remain in public spaces. Failure to comply may result in fines. This policy will be in place until March 1st.
Covid-19 vaccination update
By December 12th, 85% (212,005) of the Madeira population had been fully vaccinated and 87% (217,544) had started the vaccination process.
https://www.jm-madeira.pt/regiao/ver/152735/Pedro_Ramos_85_da_vacinacao_na_Madeira_esta_completa_
List of rapid antigen test sites
The following website has a list of places where rapid antigen Covid-19 testing is available. The list has an English translation.
https://iasaude.pt/attachments/article/8716/Lista_Locais_Aderentes_17_12_2021.pdf
New Navy patrol vessel arrived in Madeira
NRP Mondego, a Tejo-class patrol vessel, arrived in the Region on Friday. She is replacing NRP Sines, which has returned to Lisbon after the deployment. NRP Mondego’s commanding officer is First-Lieutenant Tiago Emanuel Lopes Monteiro. The vessel has a crew of 29 sailors. This deployment will reinforce the Navy’s presence in the Region, and strengthen sea patrols and safeguard human life at sea.
https://funchalnoticias.net/2021/12/16/navio-patrulha-mondego-substitui-sines-em-missao-na-ram/
Bad weather in Madeira
There were 11 incidents as a result of the bad weather that the Region has been facing. They were small floods in urban areas, fallen rocks and fallen trees. The authorities have advised the population to pay attention to the weather forecast and to the following guidance issued by the Regional Civil Protection Service:
Ensure the water draining systems are not obstructed and remove objects that may be dragged or obstruct the free flowing of water
Keep doors and windows closed and remove loose objects that are on balconies and window frames.
Whenever possible, avoid going to areas that are usually affected by bad weather
Do not remain in areas that have derelict buildings due to the risk of collapses
Pay attention to structures such as scaffolding, tents, roofs that may be affected by stronger winds
Beware of possible fallen trees
Pay special attention to obstructed roads due to fallen objects (as a result of strong winds)
Adopt defensive driving, reducing the speed and watching out for possible flooded roads
Hiking and car tours, particularly in mountain areas and in coastal areas is not recommended
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 day and places:
CANIÇO
December 23rd – 09h30 to 10h00
– Tendeira
– Porto Novo
– Estrada do Aeroporto
– Rua Sidónio Serôdio
– Vereda Mestre Neves
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.