Special measures said to be under consideration for Lisbon region, and study reveals lockdown’s life-saving effects
English language coronavirus news in Portugal on May 28, 2020.
By the numbers
Unfortunately today brings the biggest increase in new cases in 20 days, as authorities battle multiple “localised outbreaks” in the Greater Lisbon area. It’s also the second day in a row more new cases have been confirmed than recoveries, even if only by a small margin. The vast majority of new cases (87%, according to Diário de Notícias) are still coming in the Lisbon and Tejo Valley region, causing the government to ponder special measures for the region, which I’ll talk more about below.
Government said to be considering ‘differentiated response’ for Greater Lisbon
Greater Lisbon continues to bear the brunt of the pandemic in Portugal, which Diário de Notícias reports has spread to at least five social housing neighbourhoods. The rate of spread in the Lisbon and Tejo Valley region was the main worry for scientists, advisers and politicians when they met this morning to discuss the country’s progress, Público reported. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said the effects of reopening were starting to be felt, with many positive aspects and one worry. That concern is the R0 in Greater Lisbon, which is 1.01, slightly above where it needs to be for the pandemic to be shrinking instead of expanding. After the meeting, Ricardo Baptista Leite, an MP for opposition party PSD (Social Democrat Party), said the government would consider a “differentiated response”, both Público and Diário de Notícias reported. That could mean a slower reopening with establishments such as shopping centres remaining closed. Despite this, in a preview of tomorrow’s Council of Ministers meeting, Público does not expect the outbreaks to jeopardise the third stage of reopening - planned for June 1 - because they are localised and controllable, and the number of people in hospital is low.
It’s not expected any measures would affect the newly reopened Pastéis de Belém. Photo: Jorge Branco
Study reveals lockdown’s life-saving effects
There would have been three times more people in intensive care without the lockdown, Público reports, citing a preprint study. Without the measures, the National Health System would have needed to attend to an “avalanche” of 748 critically ill patients in the first 15 days of April, significantly beyond its 528-bed capacity at the time. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, was conducted by researchers from the NOVA National School of Public Health and published in English here. Comparing forecasted and actual figures for April 1 to 15, they found 146 fewer deaths (-25%), 5568 fewer cases (-23%) and, as of April 15, were 519 fewer ICU inpatients (-69%) and 508 fewer overall hospital inpatients (-28%). The researchers pointed out that people complied quickly with the lockdown, reducing mobility by 80%, and concluded it “seems to have been effective in reducing transmission of SARS-Cov-2”.
TAP retreats from flight plan after strong criticism
TAP has already promised to review its new flight plans for June and July, following a storm of criticism and accusations of devaluing Porto, Público reports. The plan included 27 flights a week (Reuters, English) in June and 247 in July but most were scheduled to leave from Lisbon. Critics included the mayor of Porto, the leader of the opposition in the national parliament, a host of influential figures in the Algarve, the Business Association of Portugal and Prime Minister António Costa. The furore came as talks continued about government financial help for the 50%-state-owned airline struggling due to the pandemic.
In brief
Find out how many people are allowed on each beach. The Portuguese Environment Agency says Praia de Carcavelos can fit 12,100, with 1300 at Praia do Amado and 1200 at Praia de Santo António. (Público)
Employees on simplified layoff will be paid more. The Prime Minister hasn’t revealed how much they will be paid, up from two-thirds of their salary now. (Público)
Authorities prepare to shut cafes in bairro da Jamaica, the site of an outbreak. (Público)
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On a lighter note
Readers in the north are likely already familiar with Porto bar Golden Oldie and, more recently, it’s home cocktail delivery service. Well, for one week starting today, cocktail lovers in Lisbon, Almada and Costa da Caparica can join in the fun too, Time Out reports. They start pretty cheap and can be ordered through the bar’s Instagram or via email or phone.