PM warns Portugal could hit 1000 cases a day next week // Worst day for cases since early April
Portuguese news in English on September 18, 2020.
By the numbers
Authorities have again confirmed the highest number of new daily cases since early April, the third time that mark has been reached in a little more than a week. The one spot of bright news (on a day in which we also broke through the 20,000 active cases barrier) is there are slightly fewer people in hospital and in intensive care. Highly respected epidemiologist Baltazar Nunes described the current situation as a “third phase of growth” of the pandemic, Diário de Notícias reported. According to the Dr Ricardo Jorge National Health, the national R(t) figure was 1.15 from September 9 to 13, unsurprisingly signalling a growing pandemic. It was highest in the Alentejo (1.45) and lowest in the North (1.1). He said the evolution of this third phase would depend heavily on the public health measures planned and in place.
Active, recovered, deaths, contacts under surveillance, confirmed, hospitalised, in ICU.
PM warns Portugal could hit 1000 cases a day next week
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has appealed to "individual responsibility" to combat the pandemic while warning the country could see 1000 cases a day by next week, Público reports. Following a meeting of his crisis cabinet, convened on Friday for the first time since June, Mr Costa did not announce any new measures but took the chance to reinforce the need to follow the basic rules: wear a mask, wash your hands properly, follow respiratory etiquette, maintain physical distancing and use the StayAway Covid app. “If we all follow the basic rules, we can control the pandemic,” he said, according to Diário de Notícias. "The virus doesn’t spread on its own. We’re the ones who transmit it to each other.” Mr Costa said the Directorate-General of Health would next week reveal its directions for combating the pandemic through autumn and winter. Reminding residents that the majority of cases didn’t have symptoms, he urged people to take “individual responsibility” for stopping the spread. “I understand that after months there is fatigue, but this is not a 100-metre sprint. It’s a marathon,” he said.
Judges and football president accused in corruption case
Three former appeals court judges have been accused of corruption following a historic police investigation that also makes allegations against the president of the Benfica football club and a prominent businessman, Diário de Notícias reports. Former Lisbon Court of Appeal judge Rui Rangel is accused of a range of crimes including passive corruption, abuse of power, fiscal fraud and falsification of documents. His ex-wife, Fátima Galante, also an appeals court judge, and former court president Vaz das Neves are also accused of corruption and abuse of power. Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira is accused of receiving an undue advantage and businessman José Veiga is accused of active corruption.
Government reshuffle timed to distract from telling off
Portugal’s government ministry has undergone a minor reshuffle this week, the timing of which Diário de Notícias has interpreted as an attempt to shift attention away from the President’s reprimanding of the Prime Minister. The move happened yesterday, the same day President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had already sat down to speak with Prime Minister António Costa about his controversial decision to support Luís Filipe Viera’s efforts to win another term as president of Benfica. The president previously said he didn’t accept Mr Costa’s argument that his support for Mr Viera was a “personal attitude”. Mr Vieira had taken Mr Costa’s name, along with that of Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina off the supporter list yesterday, Expresso reported. The new secretaries of state are: Inês Pacheco Ramires Ferreira (Education), Diogo Serras Lopes (Health), Hugo Mendes (Communications), Marina Gonçalves (Housing) and Teresa Coelho (Fisheries).
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In brief
Side effect that paused Oxford, AstraZeneca clinical trial 'unlikely' related to COVID-19 vaccine (ABC Australia)
Health professionals have already worked 6.5 million hours of overtime this summer
Petition to change DGS rules in schools exceeds 4,800 signatures. The petitioners want changes to mask-wearing and social-distancing rules for young children. (Diário de Notícias)
On a lighter note
Even if you’ve tried kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding or sailing, this event probably still isn’t for you. That is of course, unless you enjoyed it so much you like the idea of getting together a team of three four to do so for 12 hours straight. That’s the WaterKings (website in English) challenge, which kicks off in Lagos tomorrow. Registrations are already full but this video from year’s event is worth a watch.
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