How the virus spread through an Alentejo village // A baby is the first Portuguese child to die with COVID-19
Portuguese news in English on August 19, 2020.
By the numbers
New confirmed cases have unfortunately ticked back above 200 in the last two days, which is roughly the average number of daily new cases over the past fortnight. Active cases have also been rising almost uninterrupted for more than a week as the number of confirmed recoveries fails to keep pace with new patients. The percentage of new cases hailing from the Lisbon and Tejo Valley region is hovering between about 50% and 60% depending on the day.
Health delegate didn’t visit nursing home where 18 died
The COVID-19 outbreak that killed 18 people in an Alentejo nursing home has exposed a lack of adequate human resources to deal with such a serious problem, Público reports. A report from the Order of Doctors reveals, among other things, the 70-year-old local public health delegate, contracted for an extra four months because of the pandemic, never visited the aged care home in Reguengos de Monsaraz. That’s because he was in a high-risk group for the virus due to his age and being a smoker, didn’t have any experience using PPE and nothing in the guidelines required him to visit the home in person, he told Público. Instead, he delegated the function to a nurse, who only visited on June 23, almost a month after the first case came to light. The newspaper noted this was just one of many problems with the response.
How the virus spread through an Alentejo village
This Público report is yet another reminder, on a small scale, of how quickly the coronavirus can spread out of control. In just two weeks, more than 40 cases were detected in Mora, devastating an Alentejo village some residents said had been over-confident following the end of the state of emergency. Now most of the village is closed and more than 250 people are in quarantine after making close contact with infected patients. The health authorities are stressing it will be very difficult to say for sure how the virus arrived but many residents are already pointing the finger. They blame one couple who went about their normal life despite feeling sick when they returned from Spain and only tested positive after heading off to the Algarve. The mayor even suggested it could be a case for the police. But beyond the behaviour of the couple, some residents noted many residents had been too relaxed about the threat of the virus.
First Portuguese baby to die with COVID-19
A four-month-old baby is the first child to die with COVID-19 in Portugal, Diário de Notícias reports. Health Minister Marta Temido said the baby has other associated illnesses, such as a “very severe” congenital heart disease. The baby died with septicemia caused by the contraction of the novel coronavirus and must have been infected through a family member, she said. The other patient to die today in the Lisboa and Tejo Valley region was an 80-year-old man.
Thank you so much again to everyone who has already bought me a “tosta mista” or subscribed. It really makes a big difference. If you missed the email explaining how to do it you can check it out here or hit one of these buttons to help out.
In brief
New communications law allows discount vouchers for the internet. It’s aimed at connecting people who can’t afford it. (Público)
1.2 billion euros later, PSG reach the Champions League final in Lisbon. The French club’s spending spree may finally pay off. (Diário de Notícias)
Portugal will have the right to 6.9 million vaccine doses if a French laboratory's efforts are successful. The deal, struck by the European Union, would cover two thirds of the population. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
Marcelo has done it again! President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s famed swimming skills came in handy on the weekend when he personally helped rescue two young women whose kayak had capsized and been caught in a strong current. Along with another “patriot”, the 71-year-old helped push the kayak to safety before being met by a press pack on the shore. You may have seen this already because it’s since been picked up by news outlets all over the world, even the ABC back in Australia.
I’m hoping to keep as many expats informed as possible, so please share this with any friends you think might find it useful.