Most new cases since April // Antibody testing study looking for participants
Portuguese news in English on September 9, 2020.
By the numbers
Today’s 646 new confirmed cases are the most since April 20. The result continues a trend that’s been apparent since roughly the middle of August and includes relatively large (compared to what we’re used to seeing) increases in all mainland regions. While hospitalisations fell today, they’ve been on an upward trend, along with the number of patients in intensive care, since late August. Deaths though have stayed relatively stable, although it’s normal for all three of those figures to lag behind new case numbers. Director-General of Health Graça Freitas said the increase in cases was “normal after a period of social mobility” such as the summer holidays. Picking out one bright spot in today’s report, she said only 12% of new cases were among those over 70, who are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19.
Active, recovered, deaths, contacts under surveillance, confirmed, hospitalised, in ICU.
It looks like something went wrong and a few (or all) of you didn’t receive the newsletter on Monday. I’m not sure what happened but you can find it here.
State of contingency: mandatory mask wearing on the street is the big question
The government is set to confirm tomorrow what restrictions the country will face when it moves into a state of contingency from September 15, Diário de Notícias reports. Though the specific measures are yet to be finalised, the paper cites multiple unnamed government sources as saying many of the measures already in place in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area will be extended to the country as a whole. They include: a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people, a ban on selling alcohol after 8pm (except with meals in restaurants) and the closure of shops (except restaurants, supermarkets and a handful of other essential services such as pharmacies) at 8pm. According to DN, the mandatory wearing of masks outdoors, or at least in busy parts of the city, is the big question. The Order of Doctors and the Portuguese Pulmonary Foundation have both pushed for some form of this measure.
Click here for interactive version.
Antibody testing study looking for participants, overwhelmed by demand
Many of you have asked me about programs for antibody testing, so I have to let you know about this. But don’t get too excited. The João Lobo Antunes Molecular Medicine Institute (IMM) is recruiting 12,000 residents for a serological study of the coronavirus’s spread through Portugal. Unfortunately the demand has been so great the website has already crashed, despite only opening on Tuesday at midnight, along with a phone line set up to answer questions, Público reports. An IMM spokesperson said the institute was trying to fix the problem and was hoping the site would be back online today. You can read the FAQs here (only in Portuguese, sorry). The site says you must be a current resident in Portugal but doesn’t mention anything barring foreign citizens. If you need a reminder on what antibody testing is you can check the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oxford University AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine trial paused
The trial of one of the most promising COVID-19 vaccines has been paused due to a possible adverse reaction in a patient. You may have already seen the news so I’m sharing some context and I’d encourage you to read this explainer from The Guardian. Medical experts say pausing trials is common and say this one is only such big news because the world is so desperate for a vaccine. There’s still a lot we don’t know, including what the reaction was or, most critically, whether it was caused by the vaccine. The ABC, in Australia, has another good explainer here.
In brief
Nightclubs re-opening and crowds in stadiums "won’t be in the near future". Dr Freitas said such a move wouldn’t be “prudent” amid greater movement thanks to the summer holidays and new school year. (Diário de Notícias)
Prime Minister António Costa points to textiles, footwear and food as the ″engines″ of the recovery. He said the recovery would have to be achieved through the “reindustrialisation” of Portugal. (Diário de Notícias)
Socialist Ana Gomes to run for President. It sets up an interesting dynamic given the PM and other members of her Socialist Party (PS) have already aided, directly or indirectly, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s eventual candidacy. (Público)
There are signs of recovery, but exports still fell 7.3% in July. The figures refer only to the exports of goods, not services, of which the devastated tourism sector forms a massive part. (Público)
Parliament to hear from Health and Social Security ministers over outbreaks in homes (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
Cristiano Ronaldo is really good at football. OK, you don’t need me to tell you that. But even absolute champions of the game deserve to have their milestones recognised. And this is an insane one. Last night against Sweden he knocked in his 100th international goal, becoming just the second player in the world to do so, after Iran’s Ali Daei, whose career total of 109 is now well within reach. That’s 101 goals (he scored a second one later in the match, for good measure) playing regularly against superstar teams such as France, Spain and Germany. Incredible.