Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 11th August 2021
Introduction
Good morning – Since last Wednesday we are beginning to see an improving situation concerning key data in respect of Covid-19 in Portugal. In particular the decrease in transmission rates below 1.0 and the reduction in incidence rates which are most welcoming indicators. From our weekly trend reports, however, although the figures are encouraging, the number of deaths still gives rise to concern.
As far as vaccinations are concerned, Portugal is moving forward quickly with 18 year olds and over entitled to use the self-scheduling system and casa aberta (open house); those aged 16 and 17th years who have booked vaccinations for the 14th and 15th August and a decision now reached on the vaccination of 12-15 year olds. Some 13 million doses of vaccines have so far administered in just over 6 months, 7.33 million people (71% of the population), having been vaccinated, with more than 6.4 million having completed the immunization with the appropriate number of doses according to the brand injected (62%). A remarkable achievement by any standards. Many congratulations to the Vice Admiral and his team.
Yesterday Safe Communities discussed with the British Embassy the situation concerning those mainly without utente numbers who have been turned away from vaccination centres. We are aware however from the feedback on our Facebook page, that some people have been recently contacted by SMS some months after registering their names on the DGS website without a utente number, so some progress has been made. You may recall this was an issue we raised with the Vaccination Task Force about 2 months ago
In order to try and resolve the issue we have shared on our Facebook page a post from our friends at Brits in Portugal, that if you have been turned away from a vaccination centre just comment with the name of the vaccination centre and its location and it will be consolidated and forwarded to the Task Force.
As you will hopefully have seen, we have published bulletins regarding an expected considerable rise in air temperature, which started today with the main effects being felt from Friday to Saturday. From what we understand this could be the hottest period this year. Although by metrological standards this does not amount to a heatwave, which requires a continuous period of 6 days at 5C or above, what it does mean is that we will see on certain days very high temperatures in certain places. The IPMA have issued high temperature warnings for 7 districts so far, which we expect to be increased both in number and intensity. We will keep you informed of further warnings and updates.
During this period in particular there are two very important things to remember: the risk of rural fires and high temperatures. If you live in a high risk fire area, ensure you have a plan of action, in case of fire and an emergency kit. Thinking about these issues after a far starts is leaving it too late.
I would also advise that you think about your outdoor activities over the weekend. This may not be the best time for a nature walk or a long bike ride for example, but if you decide to do so, ensure that you follow the safety tips, particularly ensure adequate consumption of fluids and avoiding the hottest periods of the day. Remember it can be much hotter later in the afternoon, than mid-day.
We have spent considerable time and investment over the last few years in developing safety advice and information, which is available in our new website. As a Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation (the only one serving the international community in Portugal) we take our role seriously and our information and advice is from official sources. Our website and services do not cost anything to use, but not doing so could place you and your family at unnecessary risk in by not being aware of the measures to take in the event of rural fires and other catastrophes.
With that please have a good day.
DGS Covid -19
Confirmed Cases: 990.293 (+ 2232 / + 0.23 %)
Number of admitted: 829 (-28 /-3.27 %)
Number of ICU admitted: 186 (-3 /-1.59 %)
Deaths: 17.502 (+ 17 / + 0.10 %)
Recovered: 929.547 (+ 3705 / + 0.40 %)
Active cases: 43,244 (-1490 /-.3.3%)
Safe Communities comparisons/trends show that deaths were similar to Monday and above last week’s daily average; new daily cases were double that of yesterday, similar to last week’s daily average. In hospital there was a moderate decrease after a small increase on Monday and in ICU there was a small decrease after a small increase the previous day. As far as active cases were concerned there was a large reduction for one day due to a high number of recoveries.
Health
DGS Vaccination Report
More than 6.4 million Portuguese people already have complete vaccination against Covid-19, which corresponds to 62% of the Portuguese population, indicates the latest vaccination report from the DGS. The information also confirms what had already been advanced by the Government: 71% of the population has already received at least one dose, the equivalent of 7.33 million people.
Data from the DGS also reveal that more than a third of young people between 18 and 24 years old have received at least one dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus, and 19% of people in this age group are fully vaccinated.
The vaccination report indicates that, in the 65-79 and 80-and-over age groups, the percentage of people who have received at least one dose of vaccine is 99%. Complete vaccination is higher in the 65 to 79 (97%) than in the over 80 (96%).
Portugal has already received almost 14.4 million doses of anti-Covid vaccines, with 13.2 million doses being distributed.
The most advanced region in vaccination is the Centre, where 72% of people already have a dose and 65% have completed the vaccination schedule
Covid-19: “Everything is ready” to vaccinate children before the school year, says Costa
The prime minister today congratulated the DGS for recommending universal vaccination for children between 12 and 15 years old, saying that “everything is in place” to guarantee the vaccination of this age group before the school year.
“I am delighted that science has confirmed that it is possible to fulfil our duty to guarantee universal protection for all children over 12 years old”, wrote António Costa in a message posted on his official Twitter account.
The prime minister thus reacted to the announcement, made today by the General Directorate of Health (DGS), which recommends universal vaccination of children and young people between 12 and 15 years of age, thus no longer limited to specific situations, such as cases in who have risky diseases.
“Everything is in place to guarantee the administration of two doses of vaccines until the beginning of the school year”, António Costa wrote today, similarly to what he had already announced on 21 July, during the debate on the state of the Nation.
“The vaccines were purchased, the logistics were ready and the calendar was defined: young people between 12 and 17 years old can have complete vaccination until September 19th”, he pointed out.
Vaccination 12-15 year olds provisional scheduling under consideration
Lisbon, 10 Aug 2021 (Lusa) – The ‘task force’ for vaccination against covid-19 is “planning” the process of administering vaccines to young people between 12 and 15 years old, so that families can organize them.
“Planning is being done for these age groups and as soon as it is defined (the calendar) it will be communicated, so that the parents of the young people can organize themselves”, said the same source.
On July 27, the coordinator of the task force, Vice Admiral Gouveia e Melo, stated that the vaccination of young people aged 16 and 17 would start on the weekend of August 14 and 15 and that vaccination of the age groups below should happen on the following weekends.
“On August 14th, we are going to start vaccinating teenagers aged 16 and 17 years. Between the ages of 12 and 15 it will be on the following two weekends, if the DGS agrees on the importance of vaccinating this segment of the population”, said Gouveia e Melo at the time.
Covid-19: Delta variant with a frequency of 98.9% in Portugal
The Delta variant of the coronavirus that causes covid-19 is the most prevalent in Portugal, with a relative frequency of 98.9% in the week ending August 1, according to the Ricardo Jorge Institute.
According to the latest situation report on the genetic diversity of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Portugal, of the total Delta variant sequences analysed, 62 have the additional K417N mutation in the Spike protein (the so-called Delta Plus), which has maintained a relative frequency below 1% from the week of June 14th to 20th.
No case was detected in the week analysed between the 26th of July and the 1st of August (week 30), reports the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
The INSA report indicates that, to date, 13,807 sequences of the genome of the new coronavirus, obtained from samples collected in more than 100 laboratories, hospitals and institutions, representing 298 municipalities in Portugal, have been analysed.
The institute also states that an average of 588 sequences per week have been analysed since the beginning of June and that this sampling involved laboratories distributed throughout the 18 districts of mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira, covering an average of 118 councils per week.
Study concludes that the total eradication of the virus that generates covid-19 is “probably feasible
The study developed by experts from the University of Otago Wellington (New Zealand, and published in BMJ Global Health, includes comparative data on technical, socio-political and economic factors of covid-19, polio and smallpox infections
The global eradication of covid-19 is “probably feasible” thanks to vaccination, public health measures and a global interest in controlling the pandemic, according to a new study.
For the signatories of the study published in BMJ Global Health, health policies and the global interest resulting from the financial and social crises make eradication of the virus possible, but, according to specialists from the University of Otago Wellington (New Zealand), the main objectives are to ensure greater vaccination coverage, capable of responding quickly to variants.
“Although our analysis is preliminary, with several subjective elements, it seems to place the eradication of covid-19 within the realm of the possible, especially in terms of technical feasibility”, say the authors of the study, which includes comparative data from technical, socio-political factors and economics of covid-19, polio and smallpox infections.
The researchers used a three-point scoring system for each of 17 variables, including availability of a safe and effective vaccine, lifetime immunity, the impact of public health measures, and effective government management of infection control.
Political and public concern with economic and social repercussions or the acceptance of restrictive measures were also calculated.
Mean scores in the study totalled 2.7 for smallpox, 1.6 for covid-19, and 1.5 for polio.
Sports
Volta s Portugal loses two cyclists due to a covid-19 case
Emanuel Duarte is infected with the new coronavirus and David Livramento was also removed from the Volta a Portugal, for sharing a room with the infected cyclist, confirmed today to Lusa a source at Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel.
Alejandro Marque thus loses two teammates to help him defend the yellow card, with the Tavirenses being reduced to five units, before the start of the fifth stage of the 82nd edition, which today links Águeda to the Sanctuary of Senhora da Assunção (Santo Tirso), totaling 171.3 kms.
The 39-year-old Galician leads the overall standings, five seconds ahead of Amaro Antunes (W52-FC Porto) and 25 over Frederico Figueiredo (Efapel).
Travel
Largest recruitment action: Ryanair to hire 300 people in Portugal
Ryanair will hire more than 300 pilots, cabin crew and information technology professionals in Portugal, the biggest recruitment action ever made in the country, the airline announced this Tuesday.
The decision follows on from the investment that the company will make at Lisbon airport, where it will allocate three more aircraft as of November as part of its 2021 winter schedule.
“We are pleased to announce this recruitment campaign for new jobs in Portugal, as Ryanair continues to invest in our Portuguese operations, not only in Lisbon, but also in the Porto, Faro and Ponta Delgada regions”, says the director of Ryanair staff, Darrell Hughes, in a statement. “Ryanair is a major employer and investor in Portugal and we are pleased to be able to offer pilots, crew and IT professionals exciting opportunities.”
Pilot and cabin crew job offers will be available at Ryanair bases in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Ponta Delgada.
“Ryanair currently has an information technology HUB (Ryanair LABS Lisboa), which operates virtually, allowing its employees (qualified IT professionals) to work 100% from home. This virtual office will be expanded in the coming years, Ryanair invites applications for these exciting IT positions,” the statement explains.
The company also guarantees that it will continue, through its growing investments, to support the recovery of the Portuguese economy and the tourism industry.
Anyone interested in these job opportunities and in knowing all the details can find out on the page: https://careers.ryanair.com/