Madeira with one death and 165 new cases

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

Madeira registers today, 20 December, a death and 165 new cases of infection by covid-19, indicates the Regional Directorate of Health (DRS) in its epidemiological bulletin.

According to the bulletin, the new positives correspond to 14 imported cases and 151 cases of local transmission.

Also to report is another 111 recovered cases, so a total of 14,708 recovered.

There are 1,353 active cases.

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Tobi Hughes

19 Responses

  1. Thanks Tobi, but I have some queries:

    It is interesting to note that many deaths and those who contract COVID19 in Madeira, seem to be reported as locally, older people by and large, and non-vaccinated – while reports seem to have indicated that the majority of the Madeiran population have been vaccinated.
    Is this because the population of Madeira is not being properly registered, and if so, how can the percentages of vaccinated population be correct.
    I have been carefully watching how few ‘imported’ cases there seem to be, but corresponding to the number of cases being reported, it does not seem to make sense.
    Can anyone throw any light on this, as it is very difficult to assess whether or not to safely visit Madeira in the future>
    Are there any figures of those who arrive as clear tourists, but contract Covid while staying in hotels there – ie who could have contracted the virus while in the hotel or out and about?
    At the moment I have missed 12 weeks of my timeshare visits to Madeira, as I am worried about catching the virus while I am there, as there is no information about how those who catch the virus in Madeira, catch it from local transmission – or from events while in Madeira.
    If most of those who die seem to be unvaccinated and older people, how are they transmitting the virus to others – perhaps via their families?
    What more is being done to ensure the rest of the population who are unvaccinated, get vaccinated???
    IE, no doubt these older people who are dying of Covid and circulating the virus via their own families (as this may be how they caught it in the first place) – ie what is being done to help get those older people, who cannot queue up for hours to get vaccinated, vaccinated – especially now the university students are coming back to Madeira?
    Some British tourists have clearly returned to Madeira, and I read that more are coming from other countries – and many are younger people who do not bother to wear masks – and are they even vaccinated, or taking part in the testing??? From what I understand – NO!
    This is very worrying.
    Very sorry this is long, but I am very concerned – and we all need more factual information if possible please – and if necessary, who and where we can write to the Government.
    My housekeeper is from Madeira, and her family live there, but she says she would not return (as she usually does every year) as the reports she hears from family and friends are of huge concern.
    Thank you Tobi for all you are doing.
    Jayne

    1. Thousands of tourists have visited. And its very safe, much more than any other place in Europe, plus yes we are 85% fully vaccinated. If you are that worried maybe you should think if you want to travel, but I have met many people over the last year who have all had a great relaxed time.

    2. Hi Jayne, on the Covid situation we each have to make our own judgments. I have brought my family to Madeira for Xmas because in my judgement it is much safer here than UK (I worry about them returning home!).

      Yes, cases here are much higher than earlier in the pandemic and yes, that is a cause for concern and caution. Looking at the number of ‘active cases vs the population’ the figure for Madeira is that approx 1 in every 185 people are currently infected. That sounds really scary until you realise the comparable number for the UK (20/12/21) is 1 in every 46 people!
      In UK people are still walking around without masks and even complaining when asked to wear them in shops etc; here masks are worn in the street – I have only seen a few exceptions, most people keep to the rules. The weekly LFT testing required for access to restaurants/events is surely finding a lot of asymptomatic cases – which helps to contain the spread. Many children wear masks, unlike in UK.
      We were here last Xmas and spring – the use of curfews was (to me) surprisingly effective and I think the authorities here are more willing to act to protect health than in UK. We have been vaccinated and boosted here thanks to the excellent health service.
      Your Madeiran housekeeper is probably alarmed by the news of high infections here – but seen in context I believe Madeira is relatively a far safer place to be than UK or indeed many countries. I hope you feel confident enough to use your timeshare again soon.

      Those of us who like to follow the data closely always wish for more details – and I see you are trying to be constructive to look for ways to make Madeira even safer. I think Tobi does a great job keeping us up to date every day with the data that is available – and Harald with the weekly incidence rates. If you want to pursue your suggestion about helping to increase the vaccination rates perhaps you can write to Pestana? We found Savoy management very helpful last year when I campaigned to get Madeira taken off the UK ‘Red list’.

      Best wishes for a safe Xmas to all, Feliz Natal Gill

  2. Yes, Tobi. But the 15% of unvaccinated older people are clearly helping to spread the virus, via their children, grandchildren a as nd wider families.
    Here in the UK we have ‘home visits’ for old and infirm people – as they clearly cannot queue for hours to get jabbed.
    Is there any such system in Madeira – as it does not need much training for people who can vaccinate people (I understand 1 hour of training).
    As I said before, those who are dying seem to be older people, who are unvaccinated – and perhaps because they are infirm, they spread the virus from other family members.
    All I was suggesting is – is there a system in place to do this?
    People may be risking their lives by coming to Madeira, with the increasing rates of Covid.
    So it’s not OK to simply report on the figures, without trying to contain the virus!
    There is a huge influx of younger tourists – not from the UK – who despite the rules – can’t even be bothered to wear masks
    And the police do little unless there is a big fight and they can get out their batons – just like in the earlier video!
    Sorry Tobi, but it’s not alright, just because some tourists come out to Madeira, risking contracting the virus – while the rest of us are wary of our lives – AND the hotels where we have timeshares just sell our rooms to reckless tourists!!!
    Very fed up!
    And I will be more fed up the more I read about the number of cases!
    Jayne

  3. Plus Tobi
    I have invested many thousands of UK pounds in my Pestana timeshares valid for 20 odd years, and because of the Pandemic, I can’t just sell!!! So please don’t just suggest to me I should not come to Madeira!
    That’s just insulting…

    1. Don’t start having a go at me, like I said Madeira has been safe since the start of the pandemic, and tens of thousands have enjoyed it. Its nothing to do with me if you want to travel or not, cabd I don’t care about any timeshare, it’s yours not mine.

  4. … Jayne ,, It sounds to me you have a Serious problem with Extensively Over Analysing data that has created an unrealistic Inflated and quite Extreme Fear of Covid ,, you should listen and take in Tobi’s much more Realistic and True account of the thousands of people that come here and have a very enjoyable, (safe) and memorable holiday ,, I live and work here and speak with hundreds of tourists each week and have not heard anything of concern ,, only happy visitors that want to return as soon as possible … I think You are the one that is being Insulting for calling someone (Insulting) for absolutely No Reason ?? …

  5. Russell Keely – you are entitled to your own opinion – as am I. I asked Tobi if there is any more information, rather than just so many infections and deaths – and giving no information on why there are so many ‘local infections’ – and what can be done about it. You are welcome to risk your life. I am not.
    Madeira is letting in lots of very young people – who are not caring about using masks – or social distancing. Old people are not being vaccinated, as they clearly cannot queue at the vaccination stations.
    So, if you read the whole of my post, I raised some queries.
    I do not want to be told by you – or anyone else – not to come to Madeira any more just because the Government in Madeira and the police cannot control careless people who are not following the rules – and just because Madeira is encouraging a younger population to visit Madeira and then not advising them to be careful.
    I think this is insulting to not only visitors, but to the local Madeirans who have tried to follow the rules.
    As I said, my housekeeper is from Madeira and will not come to Madeira again until the situation is sorted out – and her family who live there are also scared.
    15% of the population have not been vaccinated – and many are older people, living in family homes, where the virus can be spread.
    So Russel Keely, I support all that Tobi does, but I was enquiring how we can encourage the Government to do more!
    Happy safe Christmas.
    I do not need your lectures!

  6. Jayne, this is not about doing more but doing right. The government has said several times that since the population is vsccinated it is hospitalizations they have an eye on. So while hospitalizations are kept low as they are right now and the economy is working, there won’t be “more” as in “zero case policy”.

  7. As I have said twice now, what is the Government doing about vaccinating the 15% who may be helping to transmit the virus to the rest of the population?
    They cannot get out so why are they not getting home visits for the jabs, so whole families are not spreading the virus?
    If not, after all the university students come home, this extremely contagious virus variant will spread even further.
    I have said this several times if you read my posts.
    At the moment it seems everyone is supposed to turn up to be tested and jabbed, without any regard for those who are unable to do so!
    I do not think “this is doing right” as you suggest!
    85% of the population is NOT 100% of the population – if I remember rightly from my school days Antonio Lamas!

    1. A sizable portion of the 15% are people that can’t get vaccinated (like children or immunocompromised folks). The vast majority of the people that can get vaccinated already have, and there’s weekly testing in place.

      The COVID cases are definitely rising, but there are less hospitalizations due to the vaccine. I’d say it’s safe to still travel to Madeira as long as you’re vaccinated and take COVID precautions (so don’t go out and hug random people in the street).

    2. You sound completely deranged and narcissistic. Receive home visits to get jabbed, just so that you, a foreigner, feel safe? Stay home if you don’t feel safe when 85% of the population is vaccinated. And vaccinated people also transmit the virus, getting vaccinated is mainly beneficial to you if you feel you are at high risk for severe illness if you get infected. It doesn’t reduce the risk of getting or transmitting the virus that much. Stay home. We don’t like authoritarians.

      1. Dear Lavinia W.
        I am not deranged – or narcissistic, and I was merely offering some suggestions.
        There have clearly been problems in Madeira with people not adhering to the official recommendations, and potentially causing the increasing numbers of cases. In addition, the cruise ships allow passengers to circulate on the island, and now some of them may also passing on the virus.
        The current Queen Mary 11 has identified a large number of cases on its trip to New York, and the environment on these ships may encourage the virus to spread, and Madeira is accepting a large number of these ships at the moment.
        I do not appreciate the tone of your message, and I do not intend to respond further than this to your abusive messages if you try and contact me again.
        I have been visiting Madeira for 20+ years, and have never ever had the abuse you have served up in your e-mail.
        I am sure if other visitors to Madeira were also on the receiving end of your abuse, they would think more than twice about coming to the island – as usually, the comments are about how wonderful the local Madeirans are!
        My longstanding housekeeper is from Madeira, and has a large family living over there, who are also worried about certain aspects of the control of the Pandemic.
        So, perhaps instead of your vitriol, you might consider what my message was really about.
        There are many older people in Madeira who cannot get out to queue up for hours to get vaccinated – or tested weekly – and in England there is a system in place where they are visited at home so they can be safely vaccinated, not only for their own sake, but also for their families and friends.
        It seems from reports, many deaths are of unvaccinated people – who must in turn infect their families and friends.
        So, all I was doing was making a suggestion of how things could improve going forward.
        If I did not care about Madeira and Madeirans, I would not bother to suggest things.
        I think I am entitled to my own voice – just as you are with your personalised abuse to me.
        I do not know you and I did not abuse you – I merely made a suggestion.
        You do not have any right to right to write like this to me – you only let yourself down with such abuse.

  8. Hi Jayne. Whilst appreciating your concerns, it’s simply unrealistic to expect, let alone ensure, that a whole population be vaccinated.

  9. We’d travel to the island more often if it wasn’t for my wife’s very poor mobility. I don’t see covid as a problem, a nuisance yes, a problem no.

  10. … So Jayne where on earth do you live that makes you feel Madeira is unsafe by comparison ??? ,, I can’t think of anywhere …

  11. Jayne, you could have taken advantage of £39 fare to Madeira for Christmas and New Year!
    We were there for 6 weeks from beginning June and 7 weeks from beginning October. So long as YOU observe social distancing and wear masks and cotton gloves around the Pestana organisations, you will be fine. Madeira has the advantage of having so many outside restaurants.
    We are locked up in Scotland in cold bad weather, unable to socialise with family. I would be in Madeira right now if it were not for the 90/180 day rule. Keep 2 metres distance and don’t hug anyone and you will be fine.

    1. Many thanks Anna.
      Unfortunately I cannot travel at the moment as I am also dealing with the unexplained and unexpected death of my brother a few months ago – and the fact all the catteries locally are full so unable to look after my 2 precious cats.
      I am sorry you are stuck in Scotland, which is no doubt very beautiful, but cold, and without your family.
      I am hoping to enjoy coming out to Madeira in May and June for 3 weeks – so fingers crossed.
      I hope you manage to have a lovely Christmas, and may I wish you a very Happy New year – albeit with restrictions!
      Best wishes, Jayne

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