The number of COVID-19 cases in the Algarve rose to 25 this Thursday, four more than yesterday. In the whole of Portugal, the number of people infected with the virus has risen to 785. The latest epidemiological bulletin from the General Directorate of Health also reveals that there are no more cases in Alentejo than the two that were confirmed yesterday.
This means that from yesterday to today, the number of infected has increased by 143. Of the 785 diagnosed individuals throughout Portugal, only, 89 are hospitalized, 20 of whom are in intensive care.
As for the active monitored transmission chains, there are currently 24 known to health authorities. By regions, the North of the country has the most cases, 381, followed by Lisbon and the Tejo Valley (278), the Centre (86), the Algarve (25), Azores (3), Alentejo (2) and Madeira (1). There are also nine cases of citizens residing abroad.
As for suspected cases, there are now 6061, with 488 people waiting for a test result. The number of unconfirmed cases is 4788 and 8091 people who came into contact with a transmission chain are under surveillance.
“The declaration of a state of emergency makes us even more alert, a muscular response from the State gives rise to a more robust response from people. Without panic, but with responsibility,” said Secretary of State for Health Antonio Sales at his daily press briefing.
“Primary health care is reorganizing. Family doctors are already contacting patients with scheduled appointments by phone, and will continue to do so. Users must prioritize the telephone contacts of health centres, which are adapting. We continue to work on all fronts to combat the outbreak. Health professionals remain at the forefront”, added the politician.
Meanwhile Graça Freitas, the Director-General of Health, present at the same press conference, warned that “we are going up the curve and, at this stage, we will change the manner of care. Gradually, we will move from referral hospitals to another service model”.
"Almost all of us will have mild to moderate symptoms, in that case we should call SNS 24 and we will be monitored at our homes, as most patients have been treated up to date", explained Freitas.
"In round numbers, about 15% of patients are hospitalized. This means that most of the care can be done at home. We are gradually moving from the care in the reference hospitals to another model of care at home. Let's trust this mechanism. And if any of these people’s symptoms aggravate, they will go to the healthcare ", explained the Director-General of Health.
Regarding the application of mass tests, she stated that “we are learning from each other. The testing strategy is being adapted as we learn”. "Rest assured that our strategy is extended according to risk criteria: whenever we can extend it, we will extend it, if there is evidence for the broader screening results," she assured.
. International models, previously mentioned by Ms. Freitas, point out that 80% of those infected can stay at home recovering, 15% may be in general wards and only 5% will require admittance to an intensive care unit. "The idea is to protect health professionals - they are an important asset - and to prevent them from spreading it to other people," she concluded.
