Virus “returns to attack old people’s homes”

Another media exposé today highlights the short-term nature of full-vaccination against Covid-19. “Six months after conclusion of the first phase of vaccination for old people’s home residents and staff, new outbreaks are appearing in institutions throughout the country”, reports Correio da Manhã. “The most recent cases were registered in homes in Portimão and Carregal do Sal, where the deaths of six people infected with the new coronavirus have been confirmed in recent weeks”, along with multiple numbers of infections. The ‘good news’ is that for now the deaths are considered much lower than they would have been without vaccination. The ‘bad’ is that the latest ‘red lines report’ by public health institute Dr Ricardo Jorge classifies Portugal as a country with “elevated intensity” of infections by SARS-CoV-2, likely to see “an increase in pressure on health services” in the coming weeks.