Community transmission “could happen at any time”

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

“We will wait for the next few days knowing that this eventuality (community transmission) could happen at any time. We may have a situation in which outbreaks start to appear everywhere and we cannot establish a connection between them ”, admits the Coordinator of the Sanitary Emergency Unit of the Regional Health Directorate.

These are statements by Maurício Melim to Antena 1 Madeira that appear shortly after some cases of coronavirus infection have started to appear in which no epidemiological link has yet been found.

From Agora Madeira

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Tobi Hughes

9 Responses

  2. Transmission appears to happen because people don’t follow the rules.

    Failing to handwash, failing to aways wear a mask when out, lack of social distancing when out and about and not staying in one’s small family bubble. Along with staying in year group bubbles in schools. And isolating/ getting tested if one has symptoms. Plus of course not letting those with symptoms into the country.

    But don’t look to the UK for advice . With one of the highest daily virus numbers and deaths rates in the developed world.

    The lack of social responsibility by a sizeable minority who don’t care for or about the rules or their fellow citizens continues to amaze. Wish we had an answer to that.

    Seems that only a safe vaccine will solve the problem . The speed of development by Pfizer, and Astra Zeneca is quite remarkable. And in due course worthy of a Nobel Prize.

    1. The current UK lockdown seems to be working as the R number is pretty close to “1” and should be lifted on Dec 2. So, as you said, people need to follow the simple requirements of separation and hygiene.

      These simple rules have kept my missus and I clear of the virus so I cannot believe why others don’t follow the rules.

  3. Please help me understand this Maurice . I have friends , similar age to you . They have been essentially shielding like you and your wife since March . No particular underlying health issues except age related .
    They have a timeshare at the Carlton .
    However , they seem intent to visit at Christmas . After being so careful , why would they then go the airport and board a plane ? I can’t rationalise their decision . As you intend to do the same perhaps you can explain their rational .

    1. Hi Jane, in our case we will get to Heathrow in a friend’s taxi. At the terminal we will try to maintain a good distance from people. With fewer people flying this should not be too hard. On the plane the air is filtered by HEPA filters and blows down from above pushing the air around you away. On arrival again, maintaining a distance from others. After being tested going straight to our booked apartment and await the results.

      Once we get the all clear ?? then when going out following the guidelines. Bearing in mind that there is virtually no Covid out in Madeira compared to the high incidences in the UK.

      Basically I think it is down to common sense and sticking to the local guidelines which, I believe, are to be updated this week.

      I am very wary when I do have to go out to shops at home but am sure I will feel a lot easier once there.

      There are some on here who will accuse me of being selfish, but we have been very careful and have no desire to spread any infection which we cannot do as we are clear.

    2. Jane, I’ve spent Christmas in New Zealand, Sonoma Valley, in California, Spain, Portugal, many places in Europe and probably 15 in Madeira. If I have to spend Christmas in the UK I won’t know what to do. I find that most of our fellow travellers are similar to us as to why they are away at Christmas so you already have a connection. At this particular time, referring to the virus, Christmas in the UK will be anything but normal. Even with the restrictions, because of the locals Madeira will be much as it always is, cheerful, welcoming and friendly. I agree with Maurice but would add there’s living and living and Christmas in Madeira away from the UK is much more like living as I want to.

  4. testing will have to be reconsidered. The labs are already contaminated and the PCR tests don’t offer any conclusion other than “The Coronavirus is around somewhere”. But most of the governments are sticking to the narrative, hoping that the vaccine will finally bring the relief. Meantime flue and other viruses are neglected.

  5. Thanks for the reply Maurice . My concern is this , if they do pick up anything at the airport, when tested on arrival , they will probably test negative . However, would display symptoms in the next few days.
    I’m not worried about their distancing etc when they arrive as I’m sure they will be super vigilant. Also , Quantas have a case of transmission on a flight from a man who tested positive prior to departure. Maybe I am worrying too much but after them being so careful with supermarket deliveries etc I am concerned .

  6. Obviously any traveling about is more risky than isolating at home. International air travel is about as risky as it gets I suppose. So why do it? But like Maurice says there are less Covide cases in Madeira so no problem to even it up a bit.

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