The Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, today said that the emergence of the Delta variant in the archipelago was already expected, stressing, that at the moment, it is not presenting a detrimental effect on the pandemic situation in the region.
In a press statement, he said, “since April we have already sent samples to the Public Health Laboratory of the Ricardo Jorge National Institute (INSA), and naturally we were waiting, especially as UK tourists were visiting the island. However,” he said, “Madeira is registering on average four to five cases per day, with some of these being imported cases.”
According to Pedro Ramos , the predominant variant in Madeira is Alpha, and at the moment, three patients are hospitalised in the multi-purpose unit of the Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, while the intensive care unit has been empty. Today the region also registered the death of a 77-year-old, whose underlying health issues were further exacerbated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Moreover, the Regional Health Secretary praised the regions screening centres, stating that Madeira is one of the of the few places in Europe, and in the world, to carry out such a thorough screening process, which is why the impact of the Delta variant has not created havoc on the island.
Concluding, he said, “since the 1st of July 2020, we will have carried out a 100,000 PCR tests carried out and, of these 100,000 tests, 620 were positive, that is, 620 people were prevented from spreading the virus further in Madeira.
Please note, that PCR testing is still a mandatory requirement at the airport, unless those travelling have been vaccinated by the four approved vaccinations, or have their Covid-19 recovered certificate. In addition, all those travelling between Madeira and Porto Santo must have a Rapid Antigen Test (TRAg) taken up to 48 hours before departure, and this, is mandatory.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
