The Regional Health Authority informs that regarding a death reported at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital in Ponta Delgada, the test results were negative for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease.
 
It is further reported that a second test conducted by the Dr. Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute confirmed the positive result for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the case detected on the island of Terceira last Saturday, March 14.
 
The positive case corresponds to a 29-year-old female resident on the island of Terceira with history of recent travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Felgueiras, Mainland Portugal.
 
Currently, she remains hospitalised at the Santo Espírito Hospital on Terceira Island and her clinical situation is stable.
 
On Sunday, March 15, five suspected cases were tested by the Specialised Service of Epidemiology and Molecular Biology (SEEBMO) of the Santo Espírito Hospital. The results were negative for all cases.
 
At the moment, there are eight suspected cases and 354 identified individuals, under daily active surveillance, through two-way communication.
 
It should be noted that the Regional Health Authority is already applying a new definition of suspected case of infection with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Region, more restrictive than the national one, with the aim of reinforcing the health protection of the Azorean population.
 
The information on the COVID-19 pandemic will be updated this afternoon at 4 pm, through a press conference to be held by the Regional Health Secretariat at Solar dos Remédios in Angra do Heroísmo.
 
The Regional Health Authority reiterates the need to comply with all recommendations already made public in this regard, especially that, in case of symptoms, patients should not seek a Hospital or Health Unit, but rather call the Azores Health Line - 808 24 60 24.
 
For more information, please consult the Regional Government's website dedicated to this pandemic at http://covid19.azores.gov.pt or the Regional Directorate for Health Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/.
 
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical COVID-19 Information Line -800 29 29 29 -, which operates every day of the week from 8 am to 8 pm, as well as the email address [email protected] for clarification on the measures adopted in the Region to face the novel coronavirus pandemic.