Situation Report Azores – 27th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Good News!
In the last 24 hours, no new positive cases of Covid-19 were registered in the Azores, resulting from the 1,963 tests performed.
According to the Regional Health Authority, there were three recoveries, two on the island of São Miguel (one in Matriz and the other in Rabo de Peixe) in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and one in Lajes da Terceira, municipality of Praia of Vitória.
With this recovery in Praia da Vitória, Terceira today enters the map of the islands without Covid-19, thus joining Santa Maria, Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo.
As of today, there is also no record of patients admitted to any of the hospitals in the Region.
There are currently 894 people in active surveillance in the Region.
There are currently 56 active positive cases across the archipelago, 47 in São Miguel, eight in Pico and one in Faial.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 3,839 positive cases have been recorded, with 3,649 people recovering from the disease and 29 deaths.
To find a day without positive cases in the Azores, it is necessary to go back to October the 17th, 2020. From that day on, the cases emerged on a daily basis. On January the 11th the Region reached a maximum of 132 cases, largely due to mass screening, surpassing on the 18th of the same month, the 900 active cases across the archipelago. Four months and ten days after October the 17th, the Region has again recorded a day without positive cases.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last three days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 4,229 tests was 7. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine. To date, 342,726 tests and 1963 quick tests have been carried out in the region.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 6, the other island with reported cases is Pico with 1. Pico has the only transmission chain active.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 13 in total. 10 on the island of São Miguel and 3 on Terceira.
There are no patients with Covid-19 in the regions hospitals.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths due to the virus.
There are currently active positive cases in the Region.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available via the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 24th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Rabo de Peixe
The sanitary fence in Rabo de Peixe, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, will remain, but in a more restricted area, until 23:59 on the 1st of March.
The Regional Health Authority, using the advice of the Commission for Monitoring the Fight against Pandemic, decided to redefine the fence in the village of Rabo de Peixe, with the new perimeter restricted to the area north of
Rua da Praça and Rua de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, including the zone located around Francisco Andrade and Afonso Maria Tavares streets.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last four days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 5,329 tests was 13. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine. To date, 337,637 tests and 2076 quick tests have been carried out in the region.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 10, the other island with reported cases is Pico with 3.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 42 in total. 39 on the island of São Miguel, 2 on Terceira and 1 on Pico.
As of Tuesday, the 23rdth of February 2021 there are 3 hospitalised patients with 1 of them in the ICU.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths due to the virus.
There are currently 63 active positive cases in the Region.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available via the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 20th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Rabo de Peixe
The ‘Rabo de Peixe’ Parish Council (JFRP) warned yesterday that the population of the village “is saturated” with restrictive measures aimed at combating Covid-19, the mayor’s office says that “they are killing us with the cure”.
Jaime Vieira says that the successive health fences have been affecting the population economically, socially and psychologically, creating problems that, “from now on, we will have to face and that I don’t know how we will control”.
“In a village with almost 10 thousand inhabitants, many are compliant with the restrictive measures imposed by the Regional Government, they have been confined for five consecutive weeks”. “The economy of Rabo de Peixe is increasingly weak, there are businesses that have been closed since the beginning of the sanitary fence, on January15th, and that have no idea when they will open again”.
The population were expecting that a survey of the sanitary fence would be announced yesterday, in view of the reduction in the number of cases. Also, there are multidisciplinary teams on the ground doing inspections and counselling in the most affected areas.
“Only 0.5% of the population of Rabo de Peixe is infected and the positive cases that are still appearing in small numbers are referred to as high-risk contacts”.
The cases are distributed within about of 20 houses, which means that, “with four multi-disciplinary teams on the ground, each could dedicate more attention to these houses, thus making inspection more effective”.
The President of the Board has no doubt that, “in addition to the multidisciplinary inspection and counselling teams on the streets, a reinforcement of policing in the areas most affected by the new coronavirus would be a deterrent and sufficient for the intended control”.
The municipality emphasises that, only with greater inspection targeting the most affected areas, it will be possible to stop contagions that have arisen mainly in the family context.
Vaccinations
The Government of the Azores is investigating the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Angra do Heroísmo, the similar unit in Lagoa and the previous board of directors of Hospital de Ponta Delgada on possible irregularities in the vaccination process.
The revelation was made this Friday by the Regional Secretary for Health and Sports, Clélio Meneses, during a hearing in the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs about the vaccination process in the region.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last three days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 5622 tests was 35. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine. To date, 332,308 tests and 2076 quick tests have been carried out in the region.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 29, the other islands with reported cases are Faial, with 1, and 4 on Pico. There has been a recorded case on Santa Maria.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 19 in total. 15 on the island of São Miguel, 3 on Terceira and 1 on Faial.
As of Tuesday, the 16th of February 2021 there are 7 hospitalised patients with 2 in the ICU.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths due to the virus.
There are currently 93 active positive cases in the Region.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available via the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 17th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last four days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 4,027 tests was 14. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 12, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 1, and 1 on Pico.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 62 in total. 49 on the island of São Miguel, 9 on Terceira and 3 on São Jorge.
As of Tuesday, the 16th of February 2021 there are 10 hospitalised patients with 3 in the ICU.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths due to the virus.
There are currently 77 active positive cases in the Region.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available via the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 13th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
As from Friday the 12th February, all of the Boroughs on all of the islands in the region are in the ‘Low’ risk category, all apart from the sanitary fence which still exists surrounding a part of the town of ‘Rabo de Peixe’.
The situation there will be re-evaluated after the carnival period has passed.
This means that for nearly the whole region the following rules apply.
- Limitation of gatherings on the public road of a maximum number of eight people, unless they are from the same household.
- Limitation to a maximum of eight people per table in restaurants and cafes, unless they belong to the same household, respecting a maximum capacity of 3/4 of the capacity of the establishment in question.
- Closure of all drinks and similar establishments, with dance spaces.
- Closure, from 10 pm, of all catering establishments, drinks and the like, with or without a show and with or without terrace service, including spaces for holding events, except for take-away or home delivery purposes.
- Fuel filling stations can maintain their operation from 22:00 hours until 06:00 hours of the following day, exclusively for the purpose of selling fuel and supplying vehicles to the public.
- Closure of the Elderly Living Centres and the recommendation for the users of the Residential Structures for the Elderly and Continuing Care Units to remain in their respective institutions, and, in cases where a user leaves, the respective return to the institution in question is subject to the rules imposed by the Regional Health Authority.
- Suspension of all travel in service, between and outside the archipelago, of workers in the regional administration, including public institutes and companies in the regional business sector, unless they are absolutely essential, and public and private entities in the Region are recommended adopt the same procedures regarding the displacement of their workers to the outside of the Region, without prejudice to the displacement of the holders of political and high public positions.
- Suspension of all trips to the archipelago by external entities, requested by the regional administration, including public institutes and the regional business sector, unless absolutely essential, provided they are authorized by the Regional Health Authority.
- Suspension of the holding of public events promoted by the regional administration, including public institutes and companies in the regional business sector, this recommendation being extended to all public entities, namely local authorities, as well as to private sector entities, urging the non-holding events open to the public.
- Limitation of the public presence at cultural events and sports competitions to 1/4 of the respective capacity, guaranteeing the rules of social distance.
- Face-to-face teaching in all teaching cycles (schools in Vila Franca do Campo resume face-to-face classes, after the school break from the carnival period, on February 18th, 2021)
In addition to these rules there are special restrictions for the ‘Carnival’ period, these rules apply to everyone.
Between 8:00 pm on February 12 and 11:59 pm on February 14th, the following measures are in effect in all Azorean counties:
a ) Closure of all non-essential trade, considering establishments providing first-class goods as essential trade necessity or other goods considered essential, or those that provide services of first necessity (see here the information circular of the Regional Health Authority )
b ) Closure of all restaurants, drinks and similar establishments, except for take-away and home delivery service.
ç) Prohibition of any festivities or gatherings of people in public or private places, associated with Carnival or motivated by the carnival season.
d ) Prohibition of circulation on public roads between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am the following day, except for the exceptions already provided for high-risk municipalities.
Between 00:00 on February 15 and 23:59 on February 16 , the following measures are in effect throughout the Azorean counties:
a) Closure of all restaurants, drinks and similar establishments at 3:00 pm, with the limitation that, during the period of operation, the maximum capacity per table is six people, unless they belong to the same household, respecting a maximum capacity of 2/3 of the respective capacity of the establishment.
b) From 3:00 pm, food, beverage and similar establishments can only operate on a take-away and home delivery service, with the exception of the provision of meals to guests of hotel or similar establishments by the respective catering services.
c) Prohibition of pedestrian circulation, motorized or similar, on public roads between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am the following day.
d) Prohibition of any festivities or gatherings of people, in public or private places, including those associated with Carnival or motivated by the Carnival season.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last three days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 5,557 tests was 32. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 18, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 2, and 1 on Faial.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 148 in total. 120 on the island of São Miguel, 27 on Terceira 4 and 1 on Pico.
As of Tuesday, 9th February 2021 there are 13 hospitalised patients. 10 on São Miguel with 4 in the ICU, 2 on Terceira with 1 in the ICU and 1 on Faial.
Sadly, there have been 29 deaths due to the virus.
There are currently 126 active positive cases in the Region, 104 in São Miguel, 16 in Terceira, 2 in Faial, 3 in São Jorge and 1 in Pico.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available via the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 10th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
English Variant
Two cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Azores resulting from infection by the English variant of the new coronavirus, which is more contagious, with one case in Terceira and another in São Miguel.
There are currently over 60 suspicious samples that are still being analysed by the National Institute of Health, (INSA), in Lisbon.
A case of this variant of the new coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, had already been detected in the Azores, a passenger who arrived in late December in the city of Horta, on the island of Faial.
AstraZeneca
The Azores soon hopes to receive, about 1600 doses of the new vaccine against Covid-19 from AstraZeneca, this is the correct percentage of doses from a batch of 70 to 80 thousand doses being sent to the mainland.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last four days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 4,846 tests was 21. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 18, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 2, and 1 on Faial.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 148 in total. 120 on the island of São Miguel, 17 on Terceira 8 on Faial and 3 on Pico.
As of Tuesday, 9th February 2021 there are 15 hospitalised patients. 11 on São Miguel with 5 in the ICU, 3 on Terceira with 1 in the ICU and 1 in Faial.
According to a note from the Regional Health Authority, a 76-year-old man died Tuesday morning at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island, a victim of Covid-19.
The man was a resident of São Mateus da Calheta, municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, and had been hospitalized since last January 20th.
With this further death, the number of fatalities for Covid-19 in the Azores rises to 28.
There are currently 202 active positive cases in the Region, 174 in São Miguel, 21 in Terceira, 4 in Faial and 3 in São Jorge.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
It is reiterated the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, do not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but call the Azores Health Line – 808 24 60 24.
For more information, visit the website created by the Government of the Azores on pandemic control in the Region, at https://destinoseguro.azores.gov.pt/ or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate, at https: // www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/ .
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical Clarification Line COVID-19, with the number 800 29 29 29, which can be used between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, on working days, and the RIAC Line 800 500 501, which works from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sundays, from 10 am to 10:30 pm.
It is also available using the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 6th February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Carnival
The Regional Government of the Azores will implement restrictive measures during the Carnival period, on all the islands, to contain the spread of Covid-19, announced the regional secretary of Health.
The Government Council has said that from 20:00 on February 12th, that is, the Friday before Carnival, all non-essential establishments will be closed, also, all restaurants and bars will be closed, with the exception of ‘take-away’ and home service.
A ban on all festivities related to Carnival and a ban on circulation on the public road between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am is also planned during this period.
“These are restrictive measures, but they are necessary to avoid clusters and risky behaviour. And they are certainly the necessary and appropriate measures to enable us to have a great Carnival in 2022”.
Rabo de Peixe
It has been decided in the Government Council, to maintain the sanitary fence in Rabo de Peixe for another week, but with an adjusted perimeter.
Clélio Meneses, said that Rabo de Peixe “is in fact the main focus of concern in the Azores”, stressing that the measures in force are being adequate but “more time is needed”.
“It was decided to adjust the perimeter of the fence to the area where there are positive cases,” explained the 
minister. Thus, the fence “will get tighter inside the village of Rabo de Peixe and will extend to the north of the circular road of Rabo de Peixe and within the boundaries of the parish”.
The village of Rabo de Peixe, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, is currently the location in the archipelago with the most active positive cases of infection by the new coronavirus (160) and has been subject to a health fence since the 13th of January.
In addition to the sanitary fence, the executive created multidisciplinary teams, with social workers, nurses, doctors and psychologists, to do “permanent monitoring and be present on the spot” in Rabo de Peixe.
The Regional Secretary for Health said that these teams are already in the town, orienting people towards changing behaviours and better conduct in the face of contagion or to prevent it from happening. Also, to accommodate close contacts and positive cases, who are unable to stay in their own homes to ensure the safety of others.
There are already several cases of people who are staying in social support establishments or even hotels, who were removed from their accommodation, obviously with full agreement, to ensure the health of everyone else.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last three days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 5,553 tests was 36. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 28, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 4, 1 on Faial and 1 on São Jorge.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 127 in total. 104 on the island of São Miguel, 15 on Terceira 7 on Faial and 1 on Corvo.
As of Friday, 5th February 2021 there are 19 hospitalised patients. 15 on São Miguel with 6 in the ICU and 3 on Terceira.
There are currently 332 active positive cases in the Region, 277 in São Miguel, 38 in Terceira, 11 in Faial, 3 in Pico and 3 in São Jorge.
The Regional Health Authority announced on Friday that a man passed away at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada another victim of Covid-19.
The 86-year-old, natural and resident in Ponta Garça, municipality of Vila Franca, São Miguel, had been hospitalized since 23rd January 2021.
With this more death, the Region has had 27 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Situation Report Azores – 3rd February 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Festivities
The Regional Health Authority recommends not holding festivities or events until further notice.
The Regional Directorate of Health has said that it has received “several requests” regarding the holding of “festivities or events, whether of a religious nature, namely the festivities in honour of Holy Spirit, or of popular nature”.
They went on to say that the decision “at this moment is complex, as it is not possible to predict, with a reliable degree of certainty, how the epidemiological situation in the Azores will evolve”.
SATA
SATA Air Azores has reported on Monday that flight S4 160 from Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) to Madeira made an emergency descent following a technical problem associated with the pressurisation of the aircraft.
The flight left Ponta Delgada at 08:35 (local time, one less than in Lisbon and Madeira) and landed at Madeira airport at 11:40, having triggered the emergency procedures at destination airport.
The landing and disembarkation of the 14 passengers took place in a normal way. SATA’s communication office said that “a technical assessment” is being carried out on the aircraft in Funchal.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last four days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 5,389 tests was 97. These tests were carried out in reference laboratories in the Region, in private laboratories with conventions, in the Regional Health Service, through rapid tests (mass screening), in the laboratory of Terceira University and by means of tests carried out in the scope of occupational medicine.
São Miguel registered the most cases with 89, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 6 and 2 on Faial.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 183 in total. 169 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira 1 on Faial and 1 on Pico.
There are currently 424 active positive cases in the Region, 353 in São Miguel, 48 in Terceira, 18 in Faial, 3 in Pico, one in Flores and one in Corvo.