The Regional Health Authority informs that regarding the eight suspected cases reported Saturday, seven cases tested negative and one case tested positive for infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.
 
The positive result awaits a second test to be conducted by the Dr. Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute.
 
The positive case corresponds to a 29-year-old female resident on the island of Terceira with history of recent travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Felgueiras, Mainland Portugal.
 
Currently, she is hospitalised at the Santo Espírito Hospital on the island of Terceira and her clinical situation is stable.
 
After contacting the Azores Health Line - 808 24 60 24 - on March 12 and despite not meeting the criteria for suspected case, her situation was identified and actively monitored, through two-way communication. The patient complied with the prophylactic isolation recommendations.
 
With the new definition of suspected case adopted today, the procedures for the collection of biological samples and laboratory evaluation were activated at the    Specialised Service of Epidemiology and Molecular Biology (SEEBMO) at the Santo Espírito Hospital on the island of Terceira.
 
At the moment, the procedures defined for confirmed case are in progress and the Health Authorities are promoting the surveillance of close contacts.
 
The patient in question took the Ryanair FR6037 Porto/Terceira flight on March 9 in seat 23 E.
 
Passengers on that flight who have not yet been contacted by the Regional Health Authority should call the Azores Health Line - 808 24 60 24.
 
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 http://covid19.azores.gov.pt or the Regional Directorate for Health Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DirecaoSaudeAcores/.
 
The Government of the Azores also makes available the Azores Non-Medical COVID-19 Information Line -800 29 29 29 -, which operates every day of the week from 8 am to 8 pm, as well as the email address [email protected] for clarification on the measures adopted in the Region to face the novel coronavirus pandemic.