The Regional Health Authority reports that a suspected case of infection with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is under assessment in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
 
It is a 35-year-old male resident in Povoação on the island of São Miguel who was in contact with a confirmed case on February 27 and 28 February.
 
Currently, he is clinically stable and awaits the results of laboratory tests on the biological sample collected at home.
 
It is further reported that, considering the country's epidemiological situation, three individuals were identified on Thursday, March 12. Despite not meeting criteria for a suspected case of infection with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they were subject to laboratory testing with negative results.
 
These were two foreign individuals, one male and one female, on a trip to the island of São Miguel, whose biological samples were collected at the place where they were accommodated; both tested negative for the disease.
 
A similar situation occurred on the island of Terceira, where an elderly woman was hospitalised for respiratory symptoms.
 
The result of the laboratory tests was negative for COVID-19.
 
This press release will be updated as soon as the results of the laboratory tests are disclosed.  
 
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 Portal at http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/srs-drs/textoImagem/coRONAVIRUS_S1.htm, or the Regional Directorate for Health Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/.