″ High risk ″ community in Moura refuses to test Covid-19

The community of Vale do Touro, in Moura, refused to carry out the Covid-19 tests, which the Public Health Unit (USP) of the Baixo Alentejo Local Health Unit (ULSBA) had decided to carry out this Saturday morning.

In a statement issued late in the afternoon, UPS revealed that “it was not possible to carry out this decision for reasons beyond our control”, justifying that the decision had been taken because “it is a population defined and evaluated as high risk”.

The public health doctor, responsible for USP, maintains that the institution “expects everyone to have a posture of public responsibility, certain that when, in appearance, this does not happen, either because it has not been understood”.

On social media, a resident of Vale do Touro wrote: “it was 9 am when we were surprised to do tests and refused. We were caught like rabbits”, leaving charges of racism to the mayor of Moura.

USP’s decision to test the said community, located 3 kilometers from the city of Alentejo and where around 70 Roma people live, was due to the fact that it has direct contact with a pregnant woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus .

Saturday morning, the Municipal Service of Civil Protection of Moura revealed that “by decision of USP the tests were going to be carried out” guaranteeing all the necessary support.

The JN heard the Mayor of Moura, who sent “any clarification” to the Public Health Unit and, urged to comment on the accusations of racism of the inhabitants of Vale do Touro, replied: “at this age I am not afraid of threats “.

Jorge Seguro Sanches, the Assistant Secretary of State and National Defense, appointed by the Government as coordinator for the Alentejo of measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, told the JN that “the situation is being monitored and if USP considers it necessary the articulation with other entities will be available “, he justified.

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