The Regional Secretary for Health stressed in Ponta Delgada the importance of humanising the Regional Network of Integrated Continuing Care, as a result of a joint work between Health, Social Solidarity and civil society organisations. 

Teresa Machado Luciano spoke at the delivery of a donation from the São Miguel Seniors' Association to several Integrated Continuing Care Units on this island, a ceremony that was also attended by the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, Andreia Cardoso. 

Recalling that the Integrated Continuing Care Units deserved particular attention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary for Health praised “the meritorious work carried out by the Regional Coordinating Team with the local teams in a network of 238 continuing care units, spread over eight islands, from Flores to Santa Maria." 

She also stressed “the continued commitment of civil organisations in contributing and collaborating to provide better and more humanised care.” In this regard, she called for volunteering, highlighting that “improving someone's life makes us better citizens.” 

The São Miguel Seniors' Association donated eight televisions, which will be distributed by the Integrated Continuing Care Units of the Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca Health Centre and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Ponta Delgada, as well as 15 wall clocks to be delivered to the Integrated Continuing Care Unit of Ribeira Grande Health Centre. 

Speaking to journalists, the Regional Secretary for Health stated, on the other hand, that passengers travelling to the Region are already getting tested for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Mainland Portugal, “at 150 sample collection points from Algarve to Minho.” According to her, this is “a good solution for both tourists and residents."

"We are also working to computerise the initial procedure, before the flight, in order to streamline this process, which was successfully implemented and in record time," stressed Teresa Machado Luciano. 

As for the test to be carried out on the 6th day, the Secretary for Health guaranteed that “it will remain mandatory and will be conducted by our team, who has worked tirelessly day and night, always with a smile, for the sake of safety and public health of the Azoreans." 

"The COVID-19 website contains all the necessary information on the sample collection points, the schedules, the email and to the contact numbers for citizens to schedule their screening test," stressed the government official.