The Regional Health Authority reports that one positive case of COVID-19 was diagnosed on the island of São Miguel in the last 24 hours, following the 846 tests conducted by the two laboratories of reference in the Azores.

The case diagnosed concerns a 46-year-old male, not resident in the Azores for the past two years, who landed in the Region via a flight from the USA on July 28, having tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The individual is clinically stable and has remained in isolation in the hotel unit in which he is staying. The procedures defined for confirmed case as well as testing and surveillance of close contacts have already been carried out by the Municipal Health Delegation.

With the most recent cases, 172 cases of infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, have already been detected in the Region, with 17 active positive cases: 16 on the island of São Miguel and one on the island of Terceira. 

As for two of the cases diagnosed through testing conducted by a private clinic laboratory, corresponding to the individuals residing in the Azores, a second test was carried out in one of the laboratories of reference in the Region, having produced negative results for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Despite the negative results, they will remain in isolation for 14 days and begin the recovery process in accordance with the criteria defined by the Regional Directorate for Health.

Pandemic prevention and containment measures should be maintained and reinforced, whenever possible, by citizens, private and social organisations, and by the social sector.

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 https://destinoseguro.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 from 8 am to 8 pm on working days, 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.