According to José Festas, the first outbreak happened about two weeks ago, reaching eight fishermen from the same vessel, which has been stopped since then, since the crew are all at home, quarantined.
The most recent case was known today, when another fisherman, from a different boat, tested positive for the new coronavirus, leading the association to test 31 fishermen, whose results have not yet been determined.
“We have one infected on a vessel of 20 crew members, but today we have already tested the rest and are still waiting for the results. The boat has already been disinfected and this evening is not going to sea. But if the results of the rest are negative, they will work now. in the next few days “, said José Festas to the Lusa agency.
The leader of the association criticized the local health authorities for allegedly not wanting to allow the 19 fishermen who lived with the latter infected to return to work, even if the tests carried out today are negative.
“The health delegate from Póvoa de Varzim and Vila do Conde does not know the value of fishermen, nor the work we do. He said the boat had to stay put. But if the tests are negative, and the men are well, I guarantee that will go back to work “, said José Festas.
Lusa tried to contact the health delegate today, without success.
The municipality of Vila do Conde has been struggling for a few weeks with an outbreak of covid-19, with 173 active cases, according to the city council, last week.
In addition to the Caxinas area, where in July there was an outbreak of infection in a cannery, the parishes of Guilhabreu, Mindelo, Árvore and Azurara were also affected.
According to the most recent bulletin from the Directorate-General for Health, Vila do Conde recorded, since the beginning of the pandemic, 576 cases of infection with the new coronavirus, with more than 200 occurring since July 1st.
Portugal accounts for at least 1,779 deaths associated with covid-19 in 54,234 confirmed cases of infection, according to the latest bulletin from the Directorate-General for Health.
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