The Regional Health Authority reports that two positive cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the Region, according to testing conducted by the two laboratories of reference in the Azores.
One case was diagnosed at the Genetics and Molecular Pathology Unit of the Divino Espírito Santo of Ponta Delgada and the other at the Specialised Service of Epidemiology and Molecular Biology of the Santo Espírito Hospital on the Island of Terceira.
The case diagnosed on São Miguel Island corresponds to a 37-year-old female, who recently travelled outside the Region.
In turn, the case detected on Terceira Island concerns a 35-year-old female and is unrelated to the cases previously detected on this island.
At the moment, both patients are clinically stable and in home confinement.
The cases are being followed up by the Municipal Health Authority. The procedures defined for confirmed case are in progress as well as the surveillance of close contacts.
Similarly to the procedures carried out at the laboratory on the island of Terceira, the second positive test conducted at the laboratory on the island of S. Miguel will be confirmed by second testing at the Dr. Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute in Lisbon.
As of now, 27 positive cases for infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease, have been identified in the Region, seven on Terceira Island, three on Faial Island, seven on São Jorge Island, seven on São Miguel Island and three on Pico Island.
The information on the COVID-19 pandemic will be updated this afternoon at 4 pm, through a press conference to be held at the headquarters of 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 Regional Government also provides 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, and the RIAC Line - 800 500 501 -, which is available from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 10.30 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 10.30 pm.
The email address [email protected] is also available for clarification on the measures adopted in the Region to face the novel coronavirus pandemic.