Situation Report Azores – 30th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores

Spare capacity
Gustavo Tato Borges, the President of the Commission for Monitoring the Fight against Pandemic in the Azores, said yesterday to TSF radio, that the region is able to accept between 10 and 15 Covid-19 patients on the ward and three to five patients in the ICU from hospitals on the mainland.
The chairman of the commission said that “fortunately, we have a more controlled epidemiological situation than on the mainland and even what is happening in Madeira. We have 19 hospitalised patients in the Azores, 18 of whom at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (seven in the Intensive Care Unit) and one patient admitted to the Hospital of Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, (one in the Intensive Care Unit). Therefore, our hospital capacity is not at maximum.
Rabo de Peixe
The sanitary fence in the parish of Rabo de Peixe, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, will remain in place until midnight on February 5th, announced the regional secretary for Health and Sports at a press conference.
12th Day Testing
From Saturday, the Azores will start demanding a Covid-19 test on the 12th day from people from outside the region or who travel from one island with community transmission to another island. Until now, those who travelled from outside the region to the Azores had to arrive with a negative test at Covid-19 and do a new test on the sixth day, A new test is being added on the 12th day.
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 5,213 tests was 140. 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 105, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 24 a larger than normal rise, 7 new cases on Faial, 3 on Pico and 1 on São Jorge.
There have been some recoveries in the last few days, 133 in total. 74 on the island of São Miguel.
There are currently 511 active positive cases in the Region, 433 in São Miguel, 55 in Terceira, 17 in Faial, 4 in Pico, one in Flores and one in Corvo.
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 – Wednesday 27th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
José Manuel Bolieiro, the President of the Autonomous region said yesterday that the situation in the Region is complex but compared to other parts of the country the Azores is doing well and currently is the region with the better situation.
He went on to stress that the transmissibility index (Rt) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is below 1, standing at 0.93, and the region has been an “exception” in recent days with regards to the general trend of growth of Covid-19 cases.
“We currently have 507 active cases, down from 916”. He referred to the various testing operations in recent weeks in the municipalities of Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca do Campo as a great help to the situation.

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 4,792 tests was 115. 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 87, the other islands with reported cases are Terceira, with 18 a larger than normal rise, 10 new cases on Faial, also unexpected, 1 on Flores and 1 on Corvo, the first case ever.
There have been many recoveries in the last few days, 242 in total. 232 on the island of São Miguel, 5 on Terceira, 4 on Flores and 1 on Faial.
Sadly, there has been another death at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada. An 80-year-old man. The death happened yesterday at 05h48. The man had been admitted to the ICU on January 11th and was a resident of Ponta Delgada.
The current situation in the region.
There are 24 patients in hospital.
23 in São Miguel in the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada (7 in ICU).
1 in Terceira, (in ICU), at Hospital of Santo Espírito on Terceira Island.
There are 2 active transmission chains.
1 in Pico.
1 in Faial.
There are currently 506 active positive cases in the Region, 460 in São Miguel, 32 in Terceira, 10 in Faial, two in Pico, one in Flores and one in Corvo.
3,448 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 24 deaths and 2,818 recoveries.
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 by contact through the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic
Death from Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported, that an “85-year-old woman died on Monday at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, victim of Covid-19”.
Natural and resident in Rabo de Peixe, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, the woman had been hospitalized at HDES since January 13th, with a moderate disease, not being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The death was registered at 19.00. This brings the number of deaths to 25.

Situation Report Azores – Saturday 23rd January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Vaccinations
The regional Director of Health, Berto Cabral, estimated this Thursday that, by the end of the summer, the entire population of the archipelago will be vaccinated against the new coranovirus SARS-CoV-2.
“According to the plan and information that we have and taking into consideration that this whole process has been advancing and retreating, the expectation is that this [the vaccination of all Azoreans] will be completed by the end of the summer”, Berto Cabral said. He was in Rebeira Grande to watch the start of the administration of the second dose of the vaccine in the Azores.
3 more boxes of the vaccine were due to arrive in the 1st week of February, now only 2 will arrive with the other box following in the 1st week of March.
The regional director of Health has said “that there are 5,160 Azoreans who took the first dose of the vaccine and are now being given the second dose, this process will end on the 29th of January”.
Beneficiaries are divided by users of nursing homes, long-term care units and health homes, but also health professionals from the institutions and hospitals in Terceira and São Miguel, alongside professionals from the health units of both islands.

Extension of measures
The Regional Government of the Azores announced, last Thursday 21st January that the restrictive measures applied in São Miguel due to the pandemic of Covid-19 will continue until January 29th, and there will also be extra rules for funerals. The sanitary fence surrounding the parish of ‘Rabo de Peixe’ will remain but the restrictions in ‘Ponta Garça’ have been lifted.
The Regional Health Authority has said that in the last three days the number of new positive cases of Covid-19 resulting from 8,094 tests was 174. 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 169, the other island with reported cases is Terceira, with 5.
There have been many recoveries in the last few days, 306 in total. 298 on the island of São Miguel and 8 on Terceira.

The current situation in the region.
There are 24 patients in hospital.
23 in S. Miguel – Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada, with eight in the ICU;
1 in Terceira – Hospital of Santo Espírito in Terceira, in the ICU.
There is one active transmission cha in Pico.
There are currently 633 positive cases active in the Region, 607 in São Miguel, 19 in Terceira, 4 in Flores, 2 in Pico and 1 in Faial.
To date, 3,331 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been detected, which causes Covid-19 disease, with 23 deaths and 2,576 recoveries.
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 by 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 – Wednesday 20th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
The parishes of Rabo de Peixe and Ponta Garça on the island of São Miguel will remain with sanitary fences until January 22nd
This means that circulation and permanence on the public road is forbidden and the closure of teaching, catering, drinks, similar establishments and cafes and the cancellation of all cultural events or extended social life.
Starting today both parishes are to be subjected to mass testing, 2500 residents will be tested using the PCR method.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,600 tests carried out in the Region over the last three days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 210. There are 203 on the island of São Miguel and 4 on the island of Terceira.
There have been a large number of recoveries to report, 279. 260 on São Miguel, 15 in Terceira, 2 in Faial and 2 in Flores.
The current situation in the region
There are 25 patients in hospital
22 in São Miguel – Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada (7 in ICU).
2 in Terceira – Hospital of Santo Espírito on Terceira Island (1 of which in ICU).
There is one transmission chain not on São Miguel or Terceira.
1 in S. Jorge – the last member of this chain, he was evacuated to the Hospital of Santo Espírito on Terceira Island, and the situation is expected to be temporary.
The transmission chain in Faial was extinguished, given that all elements of it are recovered.
There are currently 765 active positive cases in the Region, 736 in São Miguel, 23 in Terceira, one in Faial, one in Pico and four in Flores.
To date, 3,157 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected, with 23 deaths and 2,270 recoveries.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organisations.
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 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 – Saturday 16th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
UK Connections
The British Government has closed international travel corridors with the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, the same restrictions as for mainland Portugal. This is because of the Brazilian strain of coronavirus.
Until now, passengers originating in Madeira and the Azores were exempt from fulfilling the 10-day quarantine required of most travellers arriving from abroad, but as of 4:00 am (minus one in the Azores) on Friday 15th Jan. they are no longer on the list safe destinations. Passengers who have been to or transit through Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Panama, Portugal (including Madeira and Azores), Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela in the last 10 days will not be allowed to enter the UK.
British and Irish citizens or third-country nationals with a right of residence in the United Kingdom, as well as Portuguese emigrants living in the country, may enter, but will be required to be quarantined for 10 days.
The British Government will also suspend air links with countries on that list with direct flights to England, namely Argentina, Brazil, Cape Verde and Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores.
Sanitary Fences (Health quarantine)
The island of São Miguel is the most affected in the Azores by the pandemic of Covid-19. Starting on Friday at Midnight there will be sanitary fences (health quarantine) in the parishes of Rabo de Peixe (Ribeira Grande) and Ponta Garça (Vila Franca do Campo).
With the implementation of the fences, which will remain in effect until January 22nd, circulation and permanence on the public road is forbidden and the closure of teaching, catering, drinks, similar establishments and cafes and the cancellation of all cultural events or extended social life.
In addition to this there are new curfew hours on the rest of the island, they take effect at 00:00 on January the 16th, and will be from 20:00 to 05:00 on weekdays.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the ban on driving on public roads is from 3 pm, having already been implemented last weekend.
There are several exceptions to the ban on driving on public roads, such as travel for health reasons, to work and to purchase essential goods.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,468 tests carried out in the Region over the last three days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 166. There are indications that the measures put in place recently are taking effect. There are 155 on the island of São Miguel, 5 on the island of Terceira 4 on Flores, 1 on Pico and 1 on Faial.
There have been 141 recoveries recorded, 135 on São Miguel and 6 on the island of Terceira.
The current situation in the region
There are 28 patients in hospital
24 in São Miguel – Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada (six in ICU). During the afternoon of January 13, a person admitted to the ICU in this hospital was transferred to the Santa Maria Hospital, in Lisbon.
4 in Terceira – Hospital of Santo Espírito on Terceira Island (one of which is in the ICU).
There are 2 active transmission chains not on São Miguel or Terceira. 1 in S. Jorge – the last member of this chain, was evacuated to the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island, and the situation is expected to be temporary.
1 in Faial.
There are currently 835 positive cases in the Region, 794 in São Miguel, 31 in Terceira, three in Faial, one in Pico and six in Flores.
To date, 2,947 cases of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected, with 23 deaths and 1,991 recoveries.
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 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 January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Earthquake
An earthquake with the magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale was recorded on Monday morning on the islands of Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira. It didn’t cause any material damage.
The Azores Seismo-volcanic Surveillance and Information Centre (CIVISA) said that the event occurred at 11:47 am and the epicentre was about 67 km to WNW (west-northwest) of Capelo, on the island of Faial.
The earthquake was felt with maximum intensity IV / V on the Modified Mercalli scale on the island of Faial, according to the Civil Protection.
On Pico, the earthquake was also felt with intensities III / IV on the Modified Mercalli scale.
On São Jorge it was felt with intensities between III / IV and III.
On Terceira island, it was felt with intensity III on the Modified Mercalli scale also in several parishes, according to the Civil Protection statement.
The Regional Civil Protection Service of the Azores adds that “CIVISA continues to monitor the evolution of the situation, issuing new communications if necessary”.

New Rules
During the first three days of operation of the rules to stop the Covid-19 pandemic on the island of São Miguel, no infractions were recorded.
The Regional Command of the PSP of the Azores has said that all companies are complying with the rules defined by the Regional Government of the Azores.
During the weekend, the police did not report non-compliance with the closing hours of commercial establishments, at 3 pm. They will continue to monitor the opening hours of commercial establishments, while the measures to curb the contagion by Covid-19 on the island of São Miguel remain in force.
PSP recognizes that support from the population is essential and recommends that the community contact PSP if you are aware of any irregular situation.
The elements of the PSP Criminal Investigation Brigades, which circulate in un-marked vehicles, will monitor the isolation measures imposed on members of the community who are positive.
The agents will travel to the homes of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to see if they are complying with the prophylactic isolation measure.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 5,116 tests carried out in the Region over the last four days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is a worrying 351. There are 340 on the island of São Miguel, 10 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Faial.
There have been 131 recoveries recorded, 118 on São Miguel, 10 on the island of Terceira, 1 on Faial and 1 on Flores.
The current situation in the region
There are 27 patients in hospital
22 in São Miguel – Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada (six in ICU);
5 in Terceira – Hospital of Santo Espírito on Terceira Island (two of which are in the ICU).
Transmission Chains
In view of the situation of community transmission registered in the islands of Terceira and S. Miguel, the local transmission chains for these islands are no longer listed.
Other islands 2
1 in S. Jorge (the last member of this chain was evacuated to the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island, and the situation is expected to be temporary);
1 in Faial.
Extinguished – 193
There are currently 841 active positive cases in the Region, 797 in São Miguel, 40 in Terceira, two in Faial and two in Flores.
2,781 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 22 deaths and 1,823 recoveries.
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 – 9th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government of the Azores, meeting in the Government Council last Wednesday, determined, through Regional Regulatory Decree, the application in the Region of the renewal of the State of Emergency determined at national level, implementing restrictive measures for the regional territory according to the level of risk of transmission in each municipality.
This decision is the result of the growth trend in the risk of effective transmission of the disease (Rt) in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, particularly on the island of São Miguel, which justifies the immediate adoption of urgent containment measures, aiming at reducing the number of infected.
A new set of restrictive measures that may have positive effects on the decrease in the number of people infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 disease and a deceleration of the risk index of effective transmission of the disease will be implemented ( Rt).
The document foresees the special provisions applicable depending on the level of risk of transmission verified in the different municipalities, of low risk, medium risk and high risk.
The counties considered to be of high transmission risk will be those that verify more than 100 new cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, and the counties of Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo and Lagoa are currently identified.
In islands where there is more than one municipality, if the high-risk situation covers 50% or more of the municipalities, restrictions are applied to the entire island, so since the high-risk situation covers 50% or more of the S. Miguel counties, restrictions are applied to the entire island.
This state provides for mandatory teleworking, in activities and functions where this is possible, for professionals over 60 and with chronic diseases, as well as the limitation of gatherings on public roads of four people, unless they are from the same household familiar.
The closing of the cafes and restaurants is stipulated for 15h00, being that during this period the capacity for table is of four people, unless of the same household. After 3 pm, cafes and restaurants can only operate as a take-away service or home delivery.
Distance learning will also be implemented for all levels of education and circulation on the public road between 11 pm and 5 am on weekdays and from 3 pm on weekends is prohibited, with the exceptions provided for this purpose in the respective Decree.
Local shops and shopping centres are expected to close at 8 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on weekends, with the exception of pharmacies, clinics, offices and gas stations.
In the municipalities considered to be of medium risk, that is, those in which there are between 50 and 100 new cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, the measures will be relatively less restrictive, namely with the closure of cafes at 20:00, except for the purposes of Take Away or delivery at home and limitation up to six people, either on the public road, or by table in restaurants and bars.
Municipalities in which there are less than 50 new cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the last 7 days are considered to be of low risk, with general measures to limit gatherings and those already in force in the event of calamity.
The measures previously implemented regarding the general provisions remain in force, namely, those that determine the cases subject to mandatory confinement, as well as the mandatory use of a mask in public spaces, body temperature control and mandatory diagnostic tests. .
Covid-19 has had a progressive increase in active cases and active surveillance in the national and regional space, which justified the declaration of a State of Emergency, on the basis of the verification of a situation of public calamity, at the Government’s request having been successively renewed.
The Regional Regulatory Decree determines that contacts between people, which are a vehicle for spreading and spreading the virus, as well as their movements, must be limited to the minimum necessary.
However, the document adds that there is awareness that this limitation cannot be achieved through the total closure of establishments, taking into account that there are several essential economic activities that must remain in operation.
The diploma comes into force at 00:00 on January 8tht, 2021 and remains in force as long as the State of Emergency is in force, without prejudice to any extensions of the same.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,517 tests carried out in the Region over the last three days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 257. There were 248 on the island of São Miguel, 8 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Flores.
There have been 71 recoveries recorded, 64 on São Miguel, 3 on the island of Terceira, Faial 1, São Jorge 1and 1 on Pico.
The current situation in the region
There are 18 patients in hospital
15 in the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada;
3 in the Hospital of Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo (two of which in ICU)
There are 86 active transmission chains
74 in S. Miguel;
10 in Terceira;
1 in S. Jorge;
1 in Faial.
75 extinct chains (four of which in the last 24 hours).
There are currently 621 active positive cases in the Region, 575 in São Miguel, 40 in Terceira, three in Flores and three in Faial.
2,430 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 22 deaths and 1,692 recoveries.
One of the cases reported yesterday with a history of connection to the outside and a positive analysis on the sixth day, left the Region despite the authorities.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organisations.
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 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 – Wednesday 6th January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 3,017 tests carried out in the Region over the last four days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 174. There were 158 on the island of São Miguel, 13 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Faial.
There have been 130 recoveries recorded, 105 on São Miguel, 17 on the island of Terceira, Faial 6 and São Jorge 2.
The current situation on the region.
There are 23 patients in hospital.
20 at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada (2 of which in the ICU);
3 at the Hospital of Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo (2 of which in the ICU).
There are 69 transmission chains
59 in São Miguel (6 in the last 24 hours);
8 in Terceira (2 in the last 24 hours);
1 in São Jorge
1 Faial
97 chains are now extinct. (12 of them in São Miguel and 2 in Terceira, in the last 24 hours).
There are currently 436 active positive cases in the Region, 392 in São Miguel, 35 in Terceira, one in Pico, two in São Jorge, two in Flores and four in Faial.
2,173 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 22 deaths and 1,621 recoveries.
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 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 – 2nd January 2021 – From our colleague in the Azores
On Thursday, the 31st December, the Vice-President of the Government, Artur Lima, was present at the start of the vaccination process against Covid-19, on Terceira Island, which took place at the São Francisco Xavier Social Centre for the Elderly, in the parish of Raminho.
In this first phase of vaccination, the priority of the Regional Government of the Azores is for the elderly, who will be the first to receive the vaccine. Employees and health professionals from homes and residential structures for the elderly will also be vaccinated, so that protection is as adequate as possible.
The Vice-President of the Government, Artur Lima, announced that the Regional Government will implement, next year, a training program in outbreak management in homes and residential structures for the elderly, aimed at home employees.
It is a qualification and training programme for professionals in these homes, it will enable these professionals to manage outbreaks of any kind and will give our elderly more protection. We need to prepare for the future, the Vice President of the Government said.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 3,649 tests carried out in the Region over the last three days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 143, a big increase on recent days. There were 127 on the island of São Miguel, 8 on the island of Terceira, 4 on São Jorge, 2 on Faial and 2 on Flores.
There have been 47 recoveries recorded, 42 on São Miguel and 6 on the island of Terceira.
The current situation in the region.
There are 22 patients with Covid-19 in hospital
20 at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada (1 of which in the ICU);
2 at the Hospital of Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo (both in ICU).
There are currently 70 transmission chains.
57 in São Miguel (four new chains in the last 24 hours);
11 in Terceira
1 in São Jorge
1 in Faial
There are 80 extinct chains, two of which in Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande, in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 435 positive cases in the Region, 339 in São Miguel, 38 in Terceira, one in Pico, five in São Jorge, two in Flores and nine in Faial.
To date, 2,001 cases of infection have been detected by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19 disease, with 22 deaths and 1,491 recoveries.
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 the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus

Situation Report Azores – 30th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 1,513 tests carried out in the Region over the last two days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 55. There were 51 on the island of São Miguel, 4 on the island of Terceira.
There have been 31 recoveries recorded, 23 on São Miguel, 7 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Pico.
There was one death on the 28th of December of a 72-year-old man at 2:15 pm, at the Hospital Santo Espírito de Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island. The patient had underlying health problems.
The current situation in the region.
There are 17 patients in hospital.
15, at the Hospital of Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada (one of which in the ICU)
2, at the Hospital of Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo (both in ICU)
There are 59 transmission chains
48 on São Miguel (two new chains in the last 24 hours).
11 on Terceira (a new chain in the last 24 hours).
76 chains are now extinct.
Five of them in Ribeira Grande and three in Angra do Heroísmo, in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 296 positive cases active in the Region, 253 in São Miguel, 34 in Terceira, one in Pico, one in São Jorge and seven in Faial.
– 1,858 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 22 deaths and 1,449 recoveries.
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 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 – 28th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores has announced that the first batch of 9,750 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 in the region is on the way. They should arrive by Tuesday 29th December.
The vaccines, said in a statement the regional secretary of Health, Clélio Meneses, will be delivered directly to the island of Terceira, and will be transported on a SATA plane.
“The supplier has already informed that the delivery will take place on the 28th or 29th of this year “.
The 9,750 doses of the vaccine will be administered to 4,875 people, with half reserved for the second inoculation, since the vaccine is administered in two doses per person, 21 days apart.
In the region, up until March, the first residents to be vaccinated, will be the institutionalized elderly in homes, residential structures, and long-term care network and health homes.
At the same time, health professionals and people identified in the regional vaccination plan with disease or pathology will be vaccinated.
“From March to June, the vaccines that arrive will be administered to other people, namely elderly people over 65 and people between 50 and 64 years old, with pathologies. From July, the inoculation is generic”.
The first vaccines will be available on the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, as they are the islands where there is community transmission of the new coronavirus.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 6,619 tests carried out in the Region over the last five days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 105. The rate of infection seems to be on the decline.
87 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on the island of Terceira,4 on Faial, 1 on Pico and 1 on São Jorge.
There have been 181 recoveries recorded, 129 on São Miguel and 52 on the island of Terceira.
The current situation in the region
There are 20 people in hospital
14, at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (1 of which in the ICU)
6, at the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island (2 of which in ICU)
There are 60 transmission chains.
46 in São Miguel
14 in Terceira
From today there are 67 extinct chains.
6 of which in São Miguel in the last 24 hours (4 in Ribeira Grande, 1 in Ponta Delgada and 1 in Vila Franca do Campo)
There are currently 273 positive cases in the Region, 225 in São Miguel, 38 in Terceira, 2 in Pico, 1 in São Jorge and 7 in Faial.
To date, 1,803 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been detected, which causes Covid-19 disease, with 21 deaths and 1,418 recoveries.
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 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 – 23rd December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Vaccine.
The Azores should have about 28 thousand people in the first group for vaccination against covid-19, revealed the head of the monitoring committee.
“We have so far identified more than 12,000 members of the public who meet the ‘risk’ group criteria, that is, individuals over 50 who have heart failure, chronic kidney disease or another of the chronic conditions that are identified, we have about 7,000 health professionals identified and about 9,000 other employees from multiple social response areas. These numbers still need some confirmation”, said Gustavo Tato Borges.
The chairman of the Monitoring Committee on the Fight against Pandemic in the Azores spoke, in Angra do Heroísmo, at a hearing, by videoconference, at the Social Affairs Committee of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, in which he participated together with the regional secretary for Health and Sports, Clélio Meneses, and with the regional director of Health, Berto Cabral.
Gustavo Tato Borges stressed the region should receive about 2% of the number of vaccines attributed to Portugal, noting that the official number is not yet known.
“It is not possible to say at this point how many people per island will be vaccinated, nor how many vaccines per island will be distributed, because the number of vaccines that are going to reach the Portuguese Republic is not yet official”, he stressed, adding that both Pfizer and AstraZeneca have already announced a reduction in the quantities initially indicated.
The head of the monitoring committee stressed that priority will be given to nursing homes.
“Taking into account what happened in ‘Nordeste’, in the first phase, we will prioritize the vaccination of residents who are in care homes and employees who work there,” he said, referring to a home where 12 residents died.
Gustavo Tato Borges said that the vaccines will be stored in a first phase at the hospital in Terceira, but Ponta Delgada also has storage capacity at a later stage.
“Bearing in mind that the Pfizer vaccine needs to be kept at -70 degrees and five days to thaw, we will take advantage of the trips to allow this vaccine to thaw, so that vaccination can take place as soon as possible,” he said.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,537 tests carried out in the Region over the last four days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 60. A big reduction on recent days.
54 on the island of São Miguel and 6 on the island of Terceira.
There have been 82 recoveries recorded, 54 on São Miguel and 28 on the island of Terceira.
The current situation in the region.
There are 16 people in hospital
11, at Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada
5, at Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island (2 of which in ICU)
There are 67 active transmission chains
49 in São Miguel (1 in the last 24 hours, shared between Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Ponta Delgada)
1 chain shared between São Miguel and São Jorge
17 on Terceira Island (1 new chain in Angra do Heroísmo in the last 24 hours)
49 chains have been extinct to date (3 in São Miguel and 2 in Terceira, in the last 24 hours).
There are currently 353 positive cases in the Region, 270 in São Miguel, 79 in Terceira Island, 1 in Pico and 3 in Faial.
1,698 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 21 deaths and 1,237 recoveries.
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 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 – 19th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Starting today, December 19th, passengers traveling from the airports on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira will have to test Covid-19 negative. These tests will be paid for by the regional government and this applies to flights going to the other islands in the archipelago.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,279 tests carried out in the Region over the last three days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 89.
60 on the island of São Miguel and 25 on the island of Terceira, 1 on Pico and 3 on Faial.
There have been 170 recoveries recorded, 145 on São Miguel, 24 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Faial
The Current Situation

  • There are 15 patients in hospital
  • 8 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada
  • 7 at the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island, two of which are in the ICU.
  • There are 72 active transmission chains.
  • 50 in S. Miguel (three new chains in the last 24 hours, one in Ponta Delgada and two in Ribeira Grande);
  • A chain shared between São Miguel and São Jorge;
  • 21 in Terceira (a new chain in the last 24 hours in Angra do Heroísmo).
  • 36 transmission chains have been extinct to date, two of which in the last 24 hours, one in Ponta Delgada and the other in Ribeira Grande.
  • There are currently 377 active positive cases, 272 in S. Miguel, 101 in Terceira Island, one in Pico and three in Faial.
  • 1,638 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 21 deaths and 1,155 recoveries.

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 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 – 16th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Rabo de Peixe
Between the 3rd and the 13thof December the village of Rabo de Peixe had been closed off to the rest of São Miguel with a sanitary fence. The fence was used to help control the number of infections springing up locally.
Currently, according to data from the Azores Health Authority, there are 221 active cases in the village, with the region having a total of 459 patients with Covid-19.
The coordinator of the fight against Covid-19 in the Azores, Gustavo Tato Borges, had also told journalists at the beginning of the testing operation that there would be a significant increase in the number of infections, but, after ten days, a number of people would recover from the disease.
Despite the end of the fence, the Government of the Azores determined to maintain the closure of the schools of Rabo de Peixe until the end of the current school term.
The measure was justified with the “close, present and permanent assessment of the various entities involved”, and with the fact that there are five days until the end of the first term of the school year.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,264 tests carried out in the Region over the last four days, in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 162, a big increase.
130 on the island of São Miguel and 32 on the island of Terceira.
There have been 114 recoveries recorded, 73 on São Miguel, 40 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Pico.
The Current Situation
The number of patients in hospital is 15
9 at Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada
6 at Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island – 3 of which in the ICU
Active transmission chains – 67
São Miguel – 49 (four new chains in the last 24 hours, two in Vila Franca do Campo and two in Ribeira Grande);
A chain shared between São Miguel and São Jorge.
Terceira – 15 (with two new chains identified in the last 24 hours in Angra do Heroísmo).
31 chains have been extinct to date, three of which on the island of S. Miguel (one shared between Ribeira Grande and Ponta Delgada and two in Ponta Delgada).
There are currently 459 positive cases, 358 in S. Miguel, 100 on Terceira Island and one in Faial.
1,549 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 21 deaths and 985 recoveries.
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 by email esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Situation Report Azores – 12th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority says, from 3,350 tests carried out in the Region since the 9th of December in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of positive cases for COVID-19 is 58, many fewer cases than in recent weeks. 36 on the island of São Miguel and 22 on the island of Terceira. There have been 93 recoveries recorded, 62 on São Miguel and 21 on the island of Terceira. Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region. Most cases now are as a result of local chains of transmission.
CURRENT SITUATION IN THE REGION:
There are 12 patients in hospital.
6, at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada
6, at Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island – 3 of which in ICU.
The only patient who was admitted to the Hospital da Horta was transferred in the last hours to the Hospital of Ponta Delgada, to perform a procedure, with the return to the Hospital da Horta expected soon.
ACTIVE TRANSMISSION CHAINS – 50:
– 35 in São Miguel
– An active chain São Miguel + São Jorge
– 14 on Terceira Island
– 26 chains have been extinct to date, the last of which in Ponta Delgada, in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 411 active positive cases, 301 in S. Miguel, 108 in Terceira Island, 1 in Pico and 1 in Faial. 1,387 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 21 deaths and 871 recoveries. Yesterday, one death was recorded on the island of S. Miguel, of a 73-year-old man, resident in Fajã de Baixo, admitted to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo. 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 the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus

Situation Report Azores – 9th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Rabo de Peixe
The Rabo de Peixe health quarantine, in force since the 3rd of December, was extended until the 13th of December because of the high potential for active community transmission of Covid-19. The parish is in the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
119 cases of the infection have been identified following the mass testing of the village. To date 7000 people have been tested.
Sadly, there has been another death, an 89 year-old woman from the island of Terceira. It happened yesterday, at 12:36 pm, at the Hospital de Santo Espírito. She had just entered the Health Unit a few hours earlier. She lived in the parish of Doze Ribeiras, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.
The Regional Health Authority says, from 8,120 tests carried out in the Region since the 5th of December in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 202.
173 on the island of São Miguel, 27 on the island of Terceira and 1 on Pico.
There have been 107 recoveries recorded, 68 on São Miguel, 35 on the island of Terceira, 2 on Flores, and 2 on Pico.
The number of patients in hospital at the moment is 13,
6 at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada
6 at the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Terceira Island – three of which in the ICU
1 at the Hospital of Horta.
49 transmission chains are active, 34 in S. Miguel (with the emergence of a new São Miguel + Vila Franca chain, a São Miguel + S. Jorge chain, and 14 in Terceira (two new chains, one in Angra do Heroism and another at Praia da Vitória).
23 transmission chains are already extinct, the last of which are on the island of São Miguel, one in Ribeira Grande and the other in Ponta Delgada.
There are currently 447 positive cases, 328 in S. Miguel, 117 on Terceira Island, one in Pico and one in Faial.
1,329 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 20 deaths and 778 recoveries.

Situation Report Azores – 5th December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Azores Airlines
The airline SATA / Azores Airlines will reconnect Ponta Delgada to London and vice versa, starting in June 2021.
According to a statement, flights between Ponta Delgada and the British capital will begin on June 3rd, 2021 and continue until September 30th, 2021.
The carrier has planned three weekly connections, which will be operated on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Rabo de Peixe
Jaime Vieira, the president of the Parish Council of Rabo de Peixe commented on the imposition of a sanitary fence around the village, which came into force yesterday, and the carrying out of tests on the approximately nine thousand inhabitants of the parish with more cases of Covid-19 in the Azores (78).
“It will be a mega operation. We know that it is impossible to test everyone, but this operation is ‘very complex’ and involves several institutions. Only with this union of efforts will we do what we intend and we know that everything will be fine” he said.
The testing of residents of the village in the municipality of Ribeira Grande will start on Friday and will run until Sunday.
According to the chairman of the board, there will be five mobile units, which will be in “strategic points” of the parish, so that “people do not have to walk far to go to this mobile unit”.
Jaime Vieira pointed out that fixed testing stations will still be set up in the parish naval club and in front of the Ruy Galvão de Carvalho school.
“On Friday we will test a part of the village and Saturday and Sunday another part of the village, with mobile units going through the streets so that those who cannot drive and who have mobility difficulties are also tested,” he added.
“This village is to be congratulated so far for the way it is facing and behaving during this state of confinement,” he said.
The chairman of the board also stressed that the mass tests will make it possible to identify outbreaks of contagion and put a “brake” on the spread of Covid-19 in Rabo de Peixe.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,168 tests carried out in the Region since the 2nd of November in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for COVID-19 is 84.
59 on the island of São Miguel and 25 on the island of Terceira.
There have been 148 recoveries recorded, 129 on São Miguel, 16 on the island of Terceira, 1 on Flores, and 1 on Santa Maria
The Regional Health Authority also reported that a 70-year-old woman died on the island of São Miguel, on December 3rd, at 4:00 am, victim of Covid-19, resident in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.
The patient was not hospitalized.
With this further death, the Region has had 18 deaths.
41 transmission chains active in the Region
The Region has 41 active transmission chains, 30 in São Miguel (with the emergence of a new São Miguel chain in Ribeira Grande in the last 24 hours), a chain shared between São Miguel and São Jorge, one in Pico and nine in Terceira island (the connection between the elements of two transmission chains, which merge) is determined in Praia da Vitória. In the Region, 18 transmission chains have already been extinguished.
356 active cases
To date, there are 356 active positive cases, 225 in São Miguel, 126 in Terceira, two in Pico, one in Faial and two in Flores.
To date, 1,1128 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been detected, with 18 deaths and 671 cases recovering.
18 hospitalizations
There are 18 patients in the region’s hospitals, seven at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada (one at the ICU), 10 at the Hospital de Santo Espírito on the Terceira Island (two of which at the ICU) and one at the Hospital of Horta.

Situation Report Azores – 2nd December 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
In view of developments at the international and national level, with the declaration of a State of Emergency for the entire national territory, and taking into account the air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, it is now justified the extension of the declaration of the Situation of Public Calamity in these islands, as well as the extension of the declaration of the contingency situation in the islands Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo.
In an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held by videoconference, it was resolved to:
1. To determine, to be in effect throughout the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in the period between 00:00 hrs on December 2nd and 23:59 hrs on December 8th, the following:
a) The closure of all drinks and similar establishments, with dance spaces;
b) The closing, as of 10:00 pm, of bars and other beverage establishments, with or without a show and with or without terrace service;
c) From 22:00 hours until 06:00 hours of the following day, fuel filling stations can maintain their operation, exclusively for the purpose of selling fuel and supplying vehicles to the public;
d) The closure of the Social Centers and suspension of visits to users of Residential Structures for the Elderly, except in exceptional situations, limited to one visitor, during restricted hours, and provided that the rules for wearing a mask, physical distance and respiratory label defined by the Regional Health Authority;
e) The suspension of all travel, inter-islands and out of the Archipelago, of regional administration workers, including public institutes and public companies, in service, unless absolutely essential, and the recommendation to other public and private entities in the Region that 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;
f) The suspension of all trips to the archipelago by external entities requested by the regional administration, including public institutes and public companies, unless absolutely essential, provided they are authorized by the Regional Health Authority;
g) The suspension of the holding of public events promoted by the regional administration, including public institutes and public companies, and a recommendation addressed to all public entities, namely local authorities, and private ones for not holding events open to the public;
h) The suspension of opening to the public at sporting events and competitions.
2. To recommend to local authorities the signalling, with the security forces and competent inspection entities, of non-compliance with the rules provided for in the preceding paragraph, as well as with those arising from guidelines of the regional health authority.
3. To determine, at the level of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, between 00:00 hours, on December 2nd, and 23:59 hours on 8th, December:
a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity in the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial;
b) The extension of the declaration of the contingency situation in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo Islands.
4. For passengers disembarking in the Region:
a) Recommend that, until the result of the SARS-COV-2 screening test, performed on the 6th day, limit travel to the essential and comply with the rules for the use of a mask, physical distance and respiratory label defined by the regional health authority;
b) When they intend to travel to another island (s), passengers must communicate this intention, upon arrival, to the health authority, by completing a declaration for this purpose and, when they arrive at the island of final destination, should contact the county health authority to perform the SARS-COV-2 screening test, on the sixth day, counting from the date of the test carried out within 72 hours prior to departure for the Region.
5. With regard to inter-island travel, recommend that they be limited to the essential, and must comply with the rules for the use of a mask, physical distance and respiratory etiquette defined by the regional health authority.
6. To determine that the implementation of the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Resolution is coordinated, under the terms of Regional Legislative Decree No. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, by the Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores, being he is already authorized to request the collaboration of the security forces, as well as the use of human and material resources from the regional administration.
7. The charges resulting from accommodation, in addition to that initially hired by passengers disembarked in the Region, pursuant to paragraph 4, for compliance with mandatory confinement derived from POSITIVE result to SARS-CoV-2, as well as for prophylactic isolation, determined by the health authority, are assumed by the Region, under the terms to be defined by joint order of the members of the Regional Government with competence in matters of finance, health and tourism.
8. Failure to comply with mandatory confinement or prophylactic isolation, when determined by the regional health authority, implies the immediate presentation, by the health authority of the municipality where you reside or is staying, of a complaint for the practice of the crime of disobedience.
9. The measures provided for in this Resolution can be reversed or cancelled at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
10. Under the provisions of article 6 of Regional Legislative Decree no. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, this resolution takes effect from 00:00 hours, from December 1 until 23:59 on December 8th.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 5,690 tests carried out in the Region since the 28th of November in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of new cases for Covid-19 is 114.
79 on the island of São Miguel and 33 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on Flores and 1 on Pico.
There have been 33 recoveries recorded, 13 on São Miguel, 14 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on São Jorge.
Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.
CURRENT SITUATION IN THE REGION
The Region now has 37 active transmission chains, 26 on the island of São Miguel, eight on the island of Terceira *, one shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge, one on the island of Pico and one on the island of São Jorge.
* In the course of the epidemiological investigation in Angra do Heroísmo, the connection between the elements of two initially distinct transmission chains, which merge, was determined, and the island of Terceira now has eight active transmission chains.
1,044 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected to date, with 17 deaths, 523 recovered cases and 421 active positive cases, of which one on the island of Santa Maria, 296 on the island of São Miguel, 117 on the island of Terceira, one on the island of São Jorge, two on the island of Pico, three on the island of Faial and two on the island of Flores.
There are 14 people who have been admitted to the hospital, six at the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada, seven at the Hospital de Santo Espírito on Ilha Terceira and one at the Hospital da Horta.

Parish of Rabo de Peixe to be placed under health quarantine
The parish of Rabo de Peixe, on the island of São Miguel, will be under a Health quarantine from 00:00 hrs until December 8, and the population will be tested, announced today the Government of the Azores.
According to a note from the press office of the Azorean executive, travel by land and sea between Rabo de Peixe, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and the rest of the parishes is forbidden, and the health authorities will proceed to carry out “rapid population tests “.
By parishes, the fishing village of Rabo de Peixe, with around ten thousand inhabitants, is the one that registers the most cases (61) in the Azores.

Situation Report Azores – 28th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
There will be no restrictions for the population travelling between municipalities over the next few weeks.
On Monday, a source from the office of the representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of the Azores told the press that the measures enacted by the Government of the Republic in the new State of Emergency due to the pandemic also applied in the archipelago, this was because the Initial version of the decree stated that “it is applicable to the entire national territory”.
The second amendment to the decree corrects throughout the decree the indication that it is applicable to the entire national territory, clarifying that “it is applicable to the entire continental national territory”, thus excluding the islands.
The Azores do not have counties with more than 240 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the last 15 days, according to the most recent report by the Directorate-General for Health, so they are not covered by the most restrictive measures, applied to high risk counties, very high risk and extreme risk, but could be subject to the other measures.

Covid-19
There has been another death in the region, a 64-year-old woman, resident in the Municipality of Ribeira Grande. This is the first death recorded for six months and brings the total to 17. She had been in hospital for surgery fell ill at home during her recuperation.
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,650 tests carried out in the Region since the 24th of November in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, the number of positive cases for Covid-19 is 95. 55 on the island of São Miguel and 38 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on Flores and 1 on Pico.
There have been 54 recoveries recorded, 50 on São Miguel and 3 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on São Jorge.
Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.

CURRENT SITUATION IN THE REGION
The Region now has 29 active transmission chains, 20 on the island of São Miguel, seven on the island of Terceira, one shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge and one on the island of São Jorge.
To date, 930 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been detected, which causes Covid-19 disease, with 490 recovered cases and 344 active positive cases currently, of which one on the island of Santa Maria, 231 on the island from São Miguel, 106 on Terceira island, one on São Jorge island, one on Pico island, two on Faial island and two on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organisations.
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, here, or the Facebook page of the Regional Health Directorate,
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 by emailing esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Azores report
Situation Report Azores – 25th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
New Government
The new Regional Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores was sworn in today at a ceremony that took place in the city of Horta, Faial.
The new president is José Manuel Bolieiro who takes over from Vasco Cordeiro. José Bolieiro was, until recently, President of the Camara Municipal of Ponta Delgada.
The new Regional Government of the Azores includes 10 regional secretariats and one undersecretary, in addition to the presidency and vice-presidency.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority says, from 5,587 tests carried out in the Region since the 21st of November in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, there has been another increase in the number of cases, 100 positive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed. 75 on the island of São Miguel and 23 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on Santa Maria and 1 on Flores. 57 recoveries have also been recorded 51 on São Miguel and 3 on the island of Terceira, 1 on São Jorge, 1 on Faial and 1 on Pico.
Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.
The Region has 14 extinct transmission chains and 25 active transmission chains, 18 on the island of São Miguel, five on the island of Terceira, one shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge and one on the island of São Jorge.
So far, 835 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been detected in the Region, with 436 recovered cases and 305 active positive cases currently, of which one on the island of Santa Maria, 228 on the island of São Miguel, 71 on Terceira Island, two on São Jorge Island, two on Faial Island and one on Flores Island.
In terms of hospitalizations, there are nine people admitted to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo in Ponta Delgada and four to the Hospital de Santo Espírito in Angra do Heroísmo.
2533 people are under active surveillance.

Situation Report Azores – 21st November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Decree regulating the compulsory screening tests for COVID-19 before departure, for anyone who intends to travel to the Azores, came into force on Friday, 20th of November. This diploma, which was approved by the Government Council and which was published yesterday in Diário da República, was the subject of prior articulation with the Representative of the Republic for the Azores and provides that this obligation to carry out screening tests for the new coronavirus before boarding will remain in force as long as the State of Emergency is in force.
There has been an amendment to this Regional Regulatory Decree No. 24/2020 / A, of 19th November, stating that all passengers who board at airports on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira bound for another island in the archipelago must present proof, in support digital or paper, of a document issued by a national or international laboratory, attesting to the conduct of a screening test to SARS-CoV-2, carried out by the RT-PCR methodology in the 72 hours before the flight departure, which contains the identification of the passenger, the laboratory where the test was performed, the date of the test and the negative result. This amendment is yet to be approved.
The Regional Health Authority says, from 4,795 tests carried out in the Region since the 17th of November in the two reference laboratories in the Region and rapid tests carried out by other entities, there has been another increase in the number of cases, 94 positive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed. 61 on the island of São Miguel and 32 on the island of Terceira, and 1 on Faial. 28 recoveries have also been recorded 20 on São Miguel and 3 on the island of Terceira, 4 on São Jorge and 1 on Santa Maria. Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.
The Region now has 14 extinct transmission chains and 18 active transmission chains, 11 on the island of , five on the island of Terceira, one shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge and one on the island of São Jorge. So far, 735 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 379 recovered cases and 263 active positive cases currently, of which 205 on the island of São Miguel, 51 on Terceira island, three on São Jorge island, one on Pico island and three on Faial island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations. The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 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 – 18th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Schools
The Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture has said that, following the permanent monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, on the island of S. Miguel, the following schools will be closed, starting at 00:00 on the 16th of November:
In Rabo de Peixe, EB1 / JI Luísa Constantino, in Ribeira Grande, the headquarters school of the Integrated Basic School, EB1 / JI of Ribeirinha and Secundária will be closed; in Arrifes, the main school, and the EB1 / JI of Covoada and Relva.
The Armando Cortês-Rodrigues Basic and Secondary School, in Vila Franca do Campo, and the EBI headquarters school of Água de Pau will also be closed.
In Ponta Delgada, in terms of public education, the headquarters school of Basic and Integrated Canto da Maia and Secondary Domingos Rebelo are also closed.
The professional schools of the Ponta Delgada and Povoação Chamber of Commerce will also be closed, as well as the Cantinho Encantado nursery school, Arco-Iris nursery and kindergarten, A Passarada, João de Deus and Castanheiro School, within the scope of private schools and private institutions of social solidarity.
The closure of the School of Tourism and Hotel Training of Ponta Delgada was added to the educational establishments already closed
This information is subject to update, according to the evolution of the epidemiological situation and the guidelines of the Regional Health Authority.

Masks
The Regional Decree regulating the mandatory use of masks in public spaces and roads, adapting to the Region the recently approved national law on this matter, comes into force on Tuesday, November 17th.
The diploma, which was approved by the Government Council on November 4th and which is published yesterday in Diário da República, takes into account the epidemiological situation in the Region, as well as the importance of implementing measures aimed at limiting the spread of the disease Covid-19, protecting the health of the population.
From Tuesday, the use of a mask is mandatory for people aged 10 and older for access, circulation or permanence in public spaces and roads in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, whenever the recommended physical distance by regional health authorities proves impractical.
This obligation is waived by presenting a medical certificate for multipurpose disability or a medical declaration, in the case of people with cognitive impairment, development and psychological disorders; of a medical declaration attesting that the person’s clinical condition is not consistent with the use of masks; when the use of a mask is incompatible with the nature of the activities that people are carrying out; and in relation to people who are part of the same household, when they are not in the proximity of third parties.
In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, enforcement of Law No. 62-A / 2020, of 27th October, is the responsibility of the security forces, the municipal police, health authorities and the Regional Inspection of Economic Activities.
This Regional Regulatory Decree is expected to be in force in the Region as long as the national law on the mandatory use of masks in public spaces and roads is in force.

Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 5,780 tests carried out in the Region since the 14th of November there has been another increase in the number of cases, 75 positive cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed. 63 on the island of São Miguel and 11 on the island of Terceira, 6 and 1 on Faial. 40 recoveries have also been recorded 32 on São Miguel and 5 on the island of Terceira, 2 on Pico and 1 on São Jorge.
Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.
The rest of the cases are from chains of transmission that already exist in the region. The Region now has 13 extinct transmission chains and 12 active transmission chains, five of which on the island of São Miguel, four on the island of Terceira, two shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge and one on the island of São Jorge.
So far, 641 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 351 recovered cases and 197 active positive cases currently, of which 164 on the island of São Miguel, 22 on Terceira island, seven on São Jorge island, one on Pico island, two on Faial island and one on Santa Maria island.
There has been a total of 199,085 tests for SARS-CoV-2 undertaken in the region. 10 people are in hospital, 7 on São Miguel and 3 on Terceira.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 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 – 14th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azores has changed from Orange to Red on the list of the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) for the transmission of the new coronavirus.
According to TSF (radio), after the Autonomous Region of Madeira, which also entered the red list last week, the Azores were the last Portuguese region where the risk was still classified as medium (Orange).
The risk maps are based on positive cases in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants and on the percentage of tests done with a positive result.
It is considered a high-risk region when there are more than 50 active cases (those detected in the last 14 days) per 100,000 inhabitants and the rate of positivity is over 4%.
Covid-19
On Wednesday the 11th November the Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 1,516 tests carried out in the previous 24 hours in the two laboratories in the Region, as well as the tests carried out in private laboratories, 26 positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, 23 of which on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Santa Maria and two on the island of Terceira, and a recovery was recorded on the island of São Miguel.
As part of the screening of those who arrive in the Region, two positive cases were diagnosed on the island of São Miguel, one woman, 32 years old, and one man, 56 years old, non-residents, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, who presented a negative SARS-CoV-2 screening test on arrival and whose analysis performed after the sixth day produced a positive result.
Within the scope of transmission chains in epidemiological investigation in the Region, 24 cases were identified, 21 on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of Santa Maria and two on the island of Terceira.
In the context of epidemiological investigation related to an entertainment establishment in Ponta Delgada, 13 cases were diagnosed, namely 12 on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Santa Maria.
On the island of São Miguel, six women were identified, aged between 11 and 66 years old, one of them through screening in the workplace, carried out in a private laboratory, and six men, aged between 4 and 69 years.
On the island of Santa Maria, a positive case was detected, referring to a 37-year-old man.
On the island of São Miguel, four women were also diagnosed, aged between 7 and 51 years old, and three men individuals, aged between 6 and 49 years old, and related to the chain of transmission in epidemiological investigation in Ribeira Grande.
In the context of the epidemiological investigation of another previously reported case, a 32-year-old woman and 34-year-old man were diagnosed on the island of São Miguel.
On the island of Terceira, a positive case was detected, referring to a 59-year-old woman, close contact with a high risk of a case reported on the 8th November.
A positive case was also diagnosed in the context of the chain of transmission related to a restaurant in the parish of São Mateus, in Angra do Heroísmo, namely a man, 25 years old.
In addition, two positive cases previously reported, referring to men, aged 26 and 37, on the island of São Miguel, presented documentation proving infection and subsequent recovery, so they are no longer considered active in the Region.
A positive case, corresponding to a 25-year-old man, also left the Region, namely the island of São Miguel, in spite of the authorities, with the Municipal Health Authority taking care of the procedures for its subsequent monitoring.
On Thursday the 12th of November the Regional Health Authority reported that, from 1,371 tests carried out in the previous 24 hours in the two reference laboratories in the Region and those carried out in private laboratories, 16 positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, 13 on the island of São Miguel, two on the island of São Jorge and one on the island of Pico.
It should also be noted that, following the updating of the recovery criteria and clinical discharge in force in the Region, in accordance with the criteria established by the Directorate-General for Health and following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, 66 recoveries were recorded, of which 55 on São Miguel island, one on Santa Maria island, six on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, two on Faial island and one on Flores island.
With these 66 recoveries, the number of cases recovered in the Autonomous Region of the Azores rises to 311.
Five positive cases were diagnosed in the context of screening those who arrive in the Region, three on the island of São Miguel, one on the island of São Jorge and one on the island of Pico.
On the island of São Miguel, two men, 35 and 47 years old, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland were diagnosed, who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 screening test on arrival at the island of São Miguel, and another 20-year-old man, also from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on arrival and whose analysis performed after the sixth day produced a positive result.
On the island of São Jorge, a 25-year-old woman was detected, coming from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, who also presented a negative SARS-CoV-2 screening test on arrival and whose analysis was performed after the sixth day produced a positive result.
On the island of Pico, a 58-year-old man, from an air connection with the American continent, whose SARS-CoV-2 screening test presented on arrival indicated a negative result and whose analysis performed after sixth day produced a positive result.
In the context of the epidemiological investigation related to an entertainment establishment in Ponta Delgada, five cases were diagnosed on the island of São Miguel, namely three women, aged between 15 and 49 years old, and two men, aged 18 and 72 years old.
Two positive cases were also detected, a woman, 49 years old, and a man, 56 years old, already identified as close contacts of high risk of a case detected in the scope of the screening for entry to the hospital. A positive case was detected on the island of São Miguel, corresponding to a 35-year-old woman, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, who underwent a SARS-CoV-2 screening test upon arrival with a result positive, but that, for having presented documentation proving infection and subsequent recovery, it is not considered an active case in the Region.
On the island of São Jorge, a positive case was identified, referring to a 17-year-old man, a close contact with another previously reported case, associated with a gym located in the municipality of Velas, with the Municipal Health Delegation triggering the procedures for identification, testing and surveillance of close contacts.
On Friday the 13th of November, The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 1,566 tests carried out in the last 24 hours in the two reference laboratories in the Region and those carried out in private laboratories, 16 positive cases of COVID-19 on the island of São Miguel were diagnosed.
In the context of the epidemiological investigation related to an entertainment establishment in Ponta Delgada, nine women were diagnosed, aged between 6 and 63 years old, and five men, aged between 24 and 69 years old.
Two positive cases were also detected, corresponding to a woman, 35 years old, following the onset of symptoms, and to a man, 52 years old, in the scope of the screening of health professionals , cases that are now under epidemiological investigation, with the Municipal Health Authority having initiated the procedures inherent to the identification, testing and surveillance of close contacts.
In addition, it should be noted that a positive case reported on November 10th, corresponding to a 28-year-old man, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, presented documentation proving infection and subsequent recovery, so it is not considered an active case in Region.
It is further reported that there are currently 13 extinct transmission chains and eight active transmission chains in the Region, three on the island of São Miguel, two on the island of Terceira, two shared between the island of São Miguel and the island of São Jorge and one on the island of São Jorge.
So far, 566 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 311 recovered cases and 162 active positive cases currently, of which 133 on the island of São Miguel, 16 on Terceira island, eight on São Jorge island, three on Pico island, one on Faial island and one on Santa Maria island.
Situation Report Azores – 11th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of the tests carried out in the Region there has been a large increase in the number of cases. 65 positive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the last 4 days, 51 on the island of São Miguel and 7 on the island of Terceira, 6 on the island of São Jorge and 1 on Faial. 3 recoveries have also been recorded 2 on São Miguel and 1 on the island of Terceira.
Some of the cases have been discovered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 screening test carried out on arrival at ports and airports and through the analysis performed after the sixth day in the region.
Other cases are associated with the existing chains of transmission, 10 chains on São Miguel and 1 on São Jorge.
These are some of the highest daily figures since the peaks in April earlier this year.
So far, 507 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 179 active positive cases, of which 141 on the island of São Miguel, 20 on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, six on São Jorge island, six on Pico island, three on Faial island, one on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Azores
Situation Report Azores – 7th November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government Council approved a regional decree regulating the mandatory use of masks in public spaces and roads, an adaptation of the recently approved national law on this matter in the Region. This decision by the Government of the Azores, which met on Wednesday by videoconference, takes into account the epidemiological situation in the Region, as well as the importance of implementing measures aimed at limiting the spread of the COVID-19 disease, protecting the health of the population.
The use of a mask by people aged 10 and older is mandatory for access, circulation or permanence in public spaces and roads in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, whenever the physical distance recommended by the regional health authorities is shown to be impractical.
This obligation is waived by presenting a medical certificate for multipurpose disability or a medical declaration, in the case of people with cognitive impairment, development and psychological disorders; of a medical declaration attesting that the person’s clinical condition is not consistent with the use of masks; when the use of a mask is incompatible with the nature of the activities that people are carrying out; and in relation to people who are part of the same household, when they are not in the proximity of third parties. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, enforcement of Law No. 62-A / 2020, of October 27, is the responsibility of the security forces, the municipal police, health authorities and the Regional Inspection of Economic Activities.
This Regional Regulatory Decree, which is expected to be in force in the archipelago while the national law on the mandatory use of masks in public spaces and roads is in force, is now going to be promulgated by the Representative of the Republic and comes into force on the day after its publication in the Official Journal.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of 3,396 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in since the 3rdNovember, 39 positive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, of which 31 on the island of São Miguel, 6 on the island of Terceira, 2 on Pico. 1 recovery has been recorded on the island of São Miguel. So far, 441 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 241 recovered cases and 121 active positive cases currently, of which 95 on the island of São Miguel, 15 on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, six on Pico island, two on Faial island, one on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
According to the Regional Director of Health, there are 11 active transmission chains – two in Terceira, one in Pico and eight in São Miguel. Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 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 – 3rd November 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Vouchers
The Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism, through the Regional Directorate for Tourism, has issued more than 2,500 “Destino Seguro Açores” vouchers, with a value of more than 90 thousand euros.
This is a measure implemented on the 21st of October and is an investment of 1.2 million euros.
The “Destino Seguro Açores” voucher is a financial incentive of 35 euros for conducting screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 prior to arrival in the Azores, which can be used exclusively for the acquisition of goods or services in the region related to the tourism sector.
To take advantage of this incentive, when filling out the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire in the My Safe Azores tool, at https://mysafeazores.com , the passenger must select the option ‘Benefit from the “Destination Insurance Açores” Voucher, after the validation of the negative test by the Regional Health Authority, the voucher is sent to the email address in the questionnaire.
The incentive can be used with the Network of Members, which, so far, already has 238 companies distributed across all islands of the archipelago.
The list of participating companies, permanently open to new registrations, is available for consultation at https://voucher.azores.gov.pt/pt-pt/Rede-de-Aderentes .
Interested parties can obtain more information at https://voucher.azores.gov.pt/pt-pt .
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, as a result of 2,567 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region in since the 31st October, 13 positive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, of which 8 on the island of São Miguel, 2 on the island of Terceira, 2 on Pico and 1 on the island of Faial, and 3 recoveries were recorded on the island of São Miguel.
It should be noted that a case reported on Saturday, October 31st, corresponding to a woman of 28 years, on the island of São Miguel, presented documentation proving infection and subsequent recovery, which is why it is no longer considered active in the Region.
There is also the recovery of 3 men on the island of São Miguel, bringing to 240 the number of cases recovered in the Region.
So far, 402 cases of infection with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 86 active positive cases, of which 66 on the island of São Miguel, 10 on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, three on Faial island, one on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 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 – 31st October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores

Wikipedia

The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 6,839 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 24th of October, 20 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Terceira have been diagnosed. All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
A 24-year-old man was also diagnosed following contact with the Azores Health Line, and the epidemiological investigation of how he caught the infection is now underway. A 31-year-old man was diagnosed, not resident in the Region, from an air connection with the Portuguese mainland, whose SARS-CoV-2 screening test performed on arrival produced a positive result. However, and according to the practice followed in previous situations, having submitted documentation proving infection and recovery in the country of origin, it is not considered an active case in the Region. Users of a gymnasium have all been tested and the results were negative.
6 recoveries have been recorded, 2 on São Miguel 2 on Pico and 2 on Terceira.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations. So far, 384 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 80 active positive cases currently, of which 64 on the island of São Miguel, nine on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, two on Pico island, two on Faial island, one on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations. The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 the email address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Azores
Situation Report Azores – 24th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Government is keen to point out that taking into account the data known, as of today, on the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Region, the measures determined for the continental territory, in the scope of the calamity situation, namely those related to the prohibitions of movement between municipalities or circulation in public spaces and roads, do not apply to the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The current regulations as of today, are:-
Government Council Resolution No. 275/2020 of October 23rd, 2020
Government Presidency
Summary
Extends the declaration of the situation of public calamity in the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial.
Government Council Resolution No. 275/2020 of October 23rd, 2020
Following the permanent monitoring of the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as of today, there are a total of sixty-nine positive positive cases, of which forty-six on the island of São Miguel, eleven on the island Third, one on Graciosa Island, four on Pico Island, four on Faial Island, two on Santa Maria Island and one on Flores Island. Furthermore, in view of developments at national and international level, and taking into account the air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, the extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity continues to be justified on these islands, as well as the extension of the alert situation in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo Islands.
Thus, under the terms of paragraphs c) of no. 2 of article 59 and b) of no. 2 of article 66 and a), b), d), e) and l) of no. article 90, all of the Political-Administrative Statute of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, of paragraph 2 of article 2 of the Basic Law of Civil Protection, of Base 34 of the Basic Law of Health, Chapters IV and V of the International Health Regulations, approved for ratification by Decree-Law no. 299/71, of 13 July, in conjunction with articles 6, 7, 11 and 12 of Regional Legislative Decree no. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, with article 45 of Regional Legislative Decree no. 28/99 / A, of 31 July, in its current wording, and with points a), e) and f ) of no. 1 of article 4 and c), d) g) and l) of article 7, all of the Regional Regulatory Decree no. 11/2001 / A, of 10 September, in its current wording ,after hearing the Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the Regional Delegation of the Azores of the National Association of Parishes, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held today, by videoconference, resolves:
1 – Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

  1. a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity, in the Islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, until midnight, on the 6th of November;
  2. b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation, in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo Islands, until midnight, on the 6th of November.

2 – To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts, coming from international ports, the normalization of the mooring of these ships should be promoted, in the ports and marinas of the Archipelago, and provided that the respective passengers test the arrival, unless the regional health authority dispenses so in view of the nonstop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
3 – To determine, for the entire Azores Archipelago, the maintenance, until 24:00 hours, on November 6, of the following measures:

  1. a) Suspension of all missions by workers of the Regional Administration, including public institutes and public companies, outside the archipelago;
  2. b) Suspension of all travel to the Archipelago by external entities requested by the Regional Administration, including public institutes and public companies, unless absolutely essential, provided they are authorized by the Regional Health Authority;
  3. c) Recommendation to other public and private entities in the Region to adopt the same procedure regarding the movement of their workers abroad in the Region.

4 – To determine that the execution of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Resolution is coordinated, under the terms of Regional Legislative Decree No. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, by the Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores, even now authorized to request the collaboration of the security forces, as well as the use of human and material resources from the regional administration.
5 – The measures provided for in this Resolution may be reversed or cancelled, at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
6 – Extend the provisions of Government Council Resolution No. 207/2020, of July 31, until midnight on November 6th.
7 – Under the provisions of article 6 of Regional Legislative Decree No. 26/2019 / A, of 22 November, this resolution takes effect as of 00:00 hours on 24 October.
Approved by the Regional Government Council, in Ponta Delgada, on October 22, 2020. – The President of the Regional Government, Vasco Ilídio Alves Cordeiro.

Situation Report Azores – 21st October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3892 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 17th of October, 13 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
There have been 7 recoveries, 5 on the island of São Miguel, one on Terceira and one on Faial.
So far, 355 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 65 active positive cases currently, of which 42 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, one on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, four on Faial island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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 at the internet address esclarecimentocovid19@azores.gov.pt for clarification on measures taken in the region to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.

Situation Report Azores – 17th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
Communiqué from the Government of the Azores
Ponta Delgada, 15th October 2020
Following the permanent monitoring of the situation of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, on October 14th, 2020, there are a total of 61 active positive cases, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on the island of Terceira , three on the island of Graciosa, four on the island of Pico, five on the island of Faial, one on the island of São Jorge, two on the island of Santa Maria and one on the island of Flores.
In addition, in view of developments at national and international level and taking into account the air connections from abroad to the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, the extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity in these regions continues to be justified. islands, as well as the extension of the alert situation in the Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Coro islands, decisions that should be re-evaluated in a shorter time frame, taking into account the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In view of this situation, the Government of the Azores, in an extraordinary meeting of the Government Council held on October 14, by videoconference, decided:
1 – Determine, in terms of readiness and response, within the scope of the Legal Regime of the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores:

  1. a) The extension of the declaration of the situation of public calamity on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial until midnight on October 23rd, taking into account the epidemiological situation that is taking place at national and International.
  2. b) The extension of the declaration of the alert situation in the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo until midnight on October 23rd, taking into account the epidemiological situation that is taking place at national and international level.

2- To determine that, after the reopening of the national maritime space to cruise ships and yachts coming from international ports, the normalization of the docking of these ships in the ports and marinas of the archipelago should be promoted, and provided that the respective passengers are tested on arrival, unless the Regional Health Authority dispenses so in view of the non-stop travel time and the absence of symptoms.
The measures provided for in this Resolution can be reversed or canceled at any time, taking into account the evolution of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
The Government of the Azores reiterates the need to comply with the guidelines regarding the use of a mask, physical distance and respiratory etiquette.
Vouchers
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism has created a new initiative, “Voucher Destino Açores Seguro”, the platform can be accessed here https://voucher.azores.gov.pt where information about this financial incentive for the taking of screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 prior to shipment to the Azores, usable exclusively for the acquisition of goods or services in the Region, in activities of the tourism sector.
An order was published today in the Official Journal setting out the conditions and the period for the companies to subscribe to the Network of Members, the conditions for the reimbursement for the acquisition of technological equipment, as well as the concession period and procedure for using this measure.With regard to the Network of Members, as of today, establishments with headquarters or with a permanent establishment in the Region, and that operate within the tourism sector, according to the published list of CAE, can make their membership by filling in an electronic form on the portal.
Regarding the entry into force of the Voucher, it will be awarded to passengers who complete the Risk Assessment and Early Detection Questionnaire on the My Safe Azores tool at https://mysafeazores.com , starting on October 21st, when they present a negative screening test for SARS-CoV-2 on entry into the Region. The “Destination Insurance Azores Voucher”, with a global investment amount of 1.2 million euros, is a financial incentive of 35 euros, valid for two months and usable, exclusively, in the purchase of goods or services in the Region, in establishments of the Network of Members that develop their activity within the scope of the tourism sector.
Tourism
According to data from the Regional Statistics Service of the Azores, in the month of August, overnight stays in the region in all the types of tourist accommodation: hotel establishments, rural tourism and local accommodation recorded a year-on-year decrease of 68.7 %. From January to August 2020, overnight stays registered a negative year-on-year change of 74.4%.
In August, hotel establishments recorded 79.2 thousand overnight stays, representing a year-on-year decrease of 70.4%.
Overnight stays by residents in Portugal decreased by 39.5% and overnight stays by residents abroad decreased by 87.5%. The monthly rate of change (relative to July) changed by 120.3%. Total income reached 4.6 million euros and room income 3.5 million euros, corresponding to negative year-on-year changes of 72.3% and 73.5%.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3918 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 13th of October, 10 positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira have been diagnosed. Some of the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay, others have been detected as a result of close contact with a previously diagnosed case.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
6 recoveries have been recorded on the island of São Miguel, Terceira and São Jorge.
So far, 342 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, and there are currently 63 active positive cases, of which 36 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, three on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, five on Faial island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island. Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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/
Situation Report Azores – 14th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The City Council of Ponta Delgada has joined up with the Portuguese League Against Cancer, Regional Centre of the Azores, marking the International Breast Cancer Prevention Month and are lighting the city’s arcades in pink until the last day of October.
“Outubro Rosa” is the name of the international campaign to raise public awareness of the problem of breast cancer. A movement that emerged in the United States, after the American Congress determined October as the month of prevention of Breast Cancer.
One of the characteristics of “Outubro Rosa” is the lighting of important monuments of the cities with the pink colour to support the cause.
In Ponta Delgada, the Arcades of the historic centre will be lit up until October 31st.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4948 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 10th of October, eight positive cases of Covid-19 on the islands of São Miguel have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Eight recoveries have been recorded on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Pico.
So far, 332 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 61 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, three on Graciosa island, four on Pico island, five on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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/

Situation Report Azores – 10th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Azores are once again included in the list of Green Destinations top 100 Sustainable Destinations, according to the regional secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism.
“It is recognitions like this that make us continue with this path towards sustainability with strength and enthusiasm,” said Marta Guerreiro. “I cannot fail to show pride and satisfaction for receiving, once again, this recognition, which places the Azores at a high level with regard to sustainability issues, which we strive for and are recognized for”.
Since last year, the Azores have been certified as a Sustainable Tourist Destination, being the only archipelago in the world and the only region in the country with this distinction”. “EarthCheck is a certifier that is governed by strict criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, that is, with the United Nations seal, which attests to the quality of its action and our certification as a Sustainable Tourist Destination”.
Covid-19
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3881 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 6th of October, nine positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three people with covid-19 have returned to the continent by air. There have been four recoveries, three on São Miguel and one on Terceira.
So far, 324 cases of infection by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 203 recovered cases and 66 active positive cases currently, of which 33 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, five on Graciosa island, six on Pico island, six on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Situation Report Azores – 7th October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 4481 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 2nd of October, eight positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa and Faial, have been diagnosed.
Some of the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay. Others are from chains of transmission already existing in the region.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
There have been nine recoveries recorded, seven on the island of São Miguel and two on Terceira, bringing to 198 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 315 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 66 active positive cases currently, of which 37 on the island of São Miguel, 11 on Terceira island, five on Graciosa island, five on Pico island, four on Faial island, one on São Jorge island, two on Santa Maria island and one on Flores island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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/ .

Situation Report Azores – 3rd October 2020 – From our colleague in the Azores
The Government of the Azores has extended the ‘Living the Azores’ campaign until March 31st, 2021, this incentive now includes holidays on the island of residence, according to a Council Resolution Government published recently in the Official Journal, which comes into force on 1st of October. São Miguel and Terceira were not found to be benefitting from the incentive as much as the smaller islands.
This variation requires the purchase of accommodation, food, tourist activities. The allowance is fixed at 50% of the amount paid, up to a maximum limit of 75 euros per person. Mandatory minimum requirements for granting the incentive under this campaign are the purchase of two nights in a tourist resort, local accommodation or youth hostel on the island, the purchase of two meals in restaurants, per person, worth at least 15 euros each, and the purchase of a tourist activity, per person, worth at least 30 euros.
Travel Exemptions
Scotland will no longer oblige people arriving from the Azores and Madeira archipelagos to comply with a 14-day quarantine, but maintains the measure on mainland Portugal, the authorities announced.
The measure applies from 04:00 on Saturday 3rd of October, this aligns Scotland with the other nations of the United Kingdom, namely England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which had already differentiated the Portuguese islands from the rest of the country in terms travel restrictions.
Wales was the first British region to differentiate Madeira and the Azores, where the number of infections has been reduced, from Mainland Portugal, where there has been an increase in cases.
The British government followed suit on 12th of September, claiming that the more detailed information made it possible to assess islands separately from mainland territories and started to institute “regional travel corridors”. One of the main criteria for exclusion from the list of safe destinations is when the country registers an additional 20 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants over the course of a week.
The update of the list of countries and territories with ‘travel corridors’ for the United Kingdom, that is, exempt from having to quarantine on arrival, made this week, leaves the British only six destinations without travel restrictions. Madeira and the Azores, require negative tests on arrival or a period of confinement while waiting for test results.
Entry requirements can be found here. https://covid19.azores.gov.pt/?page_id=5532
Covid-19 cases
The Regional Health Authority has reported that, from 3165 tests carried out in the two reference laboratories in the Region since the 30th of September, five positive cases of COVID-19 on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Santa Maria and São Jorge, have been diagnosed.
All the cases have been detected at the airports during the required screening procedure or on the follow-up test carried out on all arrivals to the region on the 6th day of the stay.
The cases are all in a stable clinical condition and the procedures defined for the confirmed case, testing and surveillance of close contacts, as well as all those inherent to the deepening of the epidemiological investigation, have already been carried out by the Local Health Delegations.
Three recoveries were recorded on the island of São Miguel and one on Terceira, bringing to 185 the number of recovered cases of COVID-19 in the Region.
So far, 307 cases of infection by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, have been detected in the Region, with 73 active positive cases currently, of which 46 on the island of São Miguel, 12 on Terceira island, four on Graciosa island, five on Pico island, three on Faial island, one on São Jorge island and two on Santa Maria island.
Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and strengthened, whenever possible, by citizens and public, private and social sector organizations.
The Regional Health Authority reiterates 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,

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