First case of Omicron in Madeira from UK traveller

Authorities in Madeira have identified the first case of infection with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the region, a case which had been imported from the United Kingdom.

By TPN/Lusa, in COVID-19, Madeira & Azores · 17 Dec 2021, 19:46 · 6 Comments

"Regarding the Omicron variant in Madeira, the information we have is that there is be a case of an English citizen, therefore an imported case, who is already isolated in a hotel", said the Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Pedro Ramos, in Funchal .

Pedro Ramos said that this is "to be expected" because in the UK the Omicron variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 "has more prevalence" than others such as Delta.

The regional secretary of Health, who answered questions from journalists, called for respect for the "basic measures of protection" against Covid-19 in the archipelago, despite the high rate of vaccination and the massive testing that is being carried out in the population.

"We have to be vaccinated, we have to be tested frequently, we cannot be in groups without a mask," he said.

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Comments

You should know better and keep infested BRITS OUT AS THEY DON'T CARE. GO ABOUT UN MASKED ALL THE TIME. !!!!!!!!

By J from Lisbon on 17 Dec 2021, 11:20

Without “infested” Brits, Madeira would still be living in the Middle Ages, poor and backward agricultural and fishing economy. The face masks’ effectiveness is dubious. Ask most doctors.

By Roy Dean from Madeira on 17 Dec 2021, 23:24

U agree with the poster.
It was the Brits that were ignoring the Portugiese mask rules over the summer.
Now once again the restof us are paying the price and the UK has the fastest Omicron outbreak on the planet.

By James from Algarve on 18 Dec 2021, 05:42

OMG OMG! A Brit with a runny nose gave a Portuguese a runny nose IN DECEMBER!!!!
Quick, everyone line up for injections, quadruple mask and then go hide under under your beds!!!!

By DD from Lisbon on 18 Dec 2021, 08:43

I intend to travel to Madeira from the UK on 27 December, unless travel restrictions are imposed. To prepare for this I've been shielding since 12 December and taking regular tests, so should be a safer contact than someone who has not travelled. I hope that if I do visit Madeira I will not face hostility. I'm insured if restrictions are put in place but not if I just decide not to go. I expect that everyone hoping to travel will be super careful leading up to it; as no one wants to isolate in a hotel.

By Helena from UK on 20 Dec 2021, 16:18

Don't worry, the Madeiran people love the British and want us there as it is their lively-hood. They are one of the most friendly people's in the world towards tourists. 90% of covid is being transmitted amongst Madeiran young people, just as in the UK. Tourists are fairly safe, but I encourage you to eat outside (Easy in the warm climate of Madeira)

By Allister Brimble from UK on 16 Jan 2022, 20:17