Last Thursday, April 30, screenings in all 11 residential structures for the elderly in the municipality of Portimão of Covid-19 were conducted, which included 787 people, of which 491 were users and 296 were health professionals.

This complex operation was conducted by the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC) and ensured that the entire population that use those homes and who are in need of a higher duty of protection, was screened. The results of the screening were all negative regarding infection by SARS-CoV-2.

The logistical support was provided by the Bombeiros de Portimão, who mobilised a total of 23 vehicles and their crews, enabling the safe transport of ABC medical teams, as well as the collection and delivery of tests to the laboratory.

The work of ABC will evolve to conduct tests to include the professionals of the day care centers of the county that, before resuming their activity, will also be tested for Covid-19.

The City Council of Portimão intends to distribute to all small business owners and traders a 'kit' consisting of 12 masks, 12 gloves, two visors and a bottle of alcohol, with the aim of helping those businesses who, from This Monday, May 4, will reopen their activities.

The president of the municipality, Isilda Gomes, met with representatives of the Portimonense Association of Commerce and Services on Saturday morning, May 2, in the Rua do Comércio, when she delivered the first kits, explaining the dynamics of their distribution and the importance of traders adopting a set of good prevention practices to Covid-19.

The Civil Protection of Portimão has begun an e-learning training plan, available to all professionals of the social network of the municipality, training which is essential to enable them to act effectively in the current pandemic.

According to Commander Richard Marques, Municipal Coordinator of Civil Protection, "it is crucial to prepare professionals who work daily on the front line with the most vulnerable members of our society and who deserve a special duty of protection, which includes fundamental aspects such as the correct use of personal protective equipment and prevention related to the transmission of Covid-19 in the most at-risk groups".

At a time when strengthening public hygiene is essential, due to the covid-19 pandemic, EMARP - Municipal Water and Waste Company of Portimão will make a major reinforcement in the cleaning and disinfection of public roads, in the main areas of the city that are still influx of people. The operation is scheduled for this weekend and will still be used washing with sodium hypochlorite.  
This product, considered the most appropriate for the purpose, will be applied primarily by EMARP in the areas of banks, market entrances of Av.ª S. João de Deus, supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, etc., as well as at ATMs and bus, as well as other public spaces. 
It is a prophylactic measure that meets the new guidelines and recommendations in the face of the pandemic situation by Covid-19. 
EMARP is conducting vigilant monitoring of the public space and can intervene whenever it is determined and is justified.

The first four ventilators purchased by the City Council of Portimão, out of a total of 24, were delivered to the direction of the Portimão Hospital today, destined to provide the hospital unit with a differentiated capacity to face the unfavourable evolution of the Coronavirus - Covid 19 pandemic in the Algarve region, particularly in this municipality. 
Because they are of the simplest typology, it was possible to immediately capture these first ventilators in the market, in order to ensure from the outset a reinforcement of equipment in that hospital unit, both in the emergency department and in the intensive care unit , freeing existing ones into the most serious situations. 
The global spread of Coronavirus led the Director-General of the World Health Organization to declare the disease as an International Public Health Emergency on January 30, and it should be highlighted, in harmony with the Preparedness Plan and Response to Covid-19 Disease, the need to provide treatment and support to a large number of people, while maintaining essential health care, in order to ensure the trust and safety of the population. 
There are currently in the municipality of Portimão eight confirmed cases (with positive result) of infection by Covid-19, and the hospital unit in question serves the entire Western Algarve. 
It is recalled that, in conjunction with the emergency and intensive care services of this reference hospital, in order to strengthen its capacity to assist critically ill patients, the Municipality of Portimão applied the money that was destined for the Portuguese Grand Prix Formula 1 in Motorboat, about 350,000€, to the acquisition of a set of ventilators, of different types, that ensure an emergency reserve, according to the responsiveness of the market. 
The four portable ventilators delivered today are the first measure of this urgent health response training program, allowing to release the most differentiated equipment for the most critical situations. 
Next week is planned the arrival of eight more intensive care equipment, which will accompany the possible need for expansion of that special unit, as well as 12 syringes and 12 infusion pumps, essential equipment in the treatment critically ill patients. 
The remaining 12 intensive care ventilators that include 6 state-of-the-art, and innovative in Portugal in the face of state-of-the-art technology, will arrive within a maximum of eight to ten weeks together with a “Pulmovista”, an unique differentiated medical equipment in the region and one of the few in the country. “Pulmovista” will allow to verify the alveolar recruitment, supporting the decision of the ventilatory modality that best fits the patient's condition, representing an investment of more than 50 thousand euros.

In an effort to contain the new Coronavirus, and with more and more people and families in isolation and telework, from This Thursday, March 19, the Municipality of Portimão begins to provide a psychological support service, especially to help the newer ones who are at home, through the Line Protection 24 . 
In view of the closure of schools and the sudden change in the daily lives of many families, psychologists at the service of the municipality, within the municipal socio-educational intervention teams, are now daily contacted by the number of telephone 808 282 112, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, in order to respond and assist in the resolution of any situations that arise and about which parents need support and counselling. 
This is another bet of the Municipality of Portimão in the policy of aid to citizens, being possible to consult all the measures implemented so far at local level on the official website of the municipality, in www.cm-portimao.pt.

Aware of the current situation related to the Coronavirus, the Municipality of Portimão decided on a set of measures in the area of mobility, both with regard to the urban network of Vai e Vem, and on the charged surface parking in the area of municipal responsibility. 
 Thus, in collaboration with Frota Azul, the Vai e Vem buses will halve their seating capacity, it will not be possible to travel standing up, and all passenger entrances and exits must be carried out only through the rear door. 
During this exceptional period, the validation of travel tickets will not be necessary, recommending that passengers from Vai e Vem avoid unnecessary travel and respect all applicable prophylactic and social distance rules. 
As for the parking charged to the surface in the areas under the responsibility of the Municipality, it will be exempt from tariff for an indefinite period, being waived the payment in the following stops: Avenida São João de Deus; Street designed at Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque; França Borges Street; Rua Diogo Gonçalves; Hortinha Street; França Borges Street; Travessa de Olivença; Vicente Vaz das Vacas Street; and Largo do Dique. At the end of 30 days, this measure will be reassessed.

The Municipality of Portimão has followed the development of the pandemic inherent in the spread of COVID-19, always triggering whenever a set of initiatives, is defined as having the essential focus of containing this phenomenon and safeguarding public health in defence of well-being of each of its citizens. 
In this sense, it was determined to restrict the regular activity of the Municipal Aerodrome, which only remains open for domestic flights on the Bragança - Viseu - Cascais - Portimão line and for emergency situations. 
All skydiving activity is suspended. 
The City Council of Portimão is monitoring the evolution of the situation, so it is informed that the measures can be adjusted according to the evolution of the situation.

Following the two verified and confirmed cases of CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) in the municipality of Portimão, and in close articulation with the local public health authority, it is informed that, at least, until next March 31, the following preventive measures: 
• All sports and cultural facilities in the municipality of Portimão, under the direct management of the Municipality of Portimão, will be closed to the public. 
• All events organised by the Municipality of Portimão and or that take place in municipal equipment will be suspended. 
It is also announced that this situation will be actively monitored by the municipality, which will make public the evolution of the facts whenever justified. 

The Municipality of Portimão recommends that in this period citizens adapt protective measures and hygiene behaviours disclosed by DGS, as an example: 
• "When you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with your forearm or with a tissue;" 
• “Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water or use an alcohol-based solution;” 
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth 
• Maintain the necessary social distance, not sharing objects or food 
• As the main measures of PREVENTION MEASURES, if you have returned from an affected area, stay alert for the next 14 days. Avoid contact with other people and assess body temperature twice a day 
• If you develop any of the symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty breathing) call SNS24 Line - through 808 24 24 24 and follow the recommendations 

We will continue, in close coordination with the public health unit in Portimão, to monitor the situation, publicly informing the evolution of the facts whenever justified.