By Catarina Demony
LISBOAJun 2 – A mutation of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has fueled an increase in cases of COVID-19 in Portugal, which now has the second highest infection rate in the world, which may threaten the recovery of the country’s tourism sector.
In the last seven days, Portugal has registered an average of 2,447 new cases per million inhabitants. This figure compares with 449 in neighboring Spain and 70 in the UK, according to tracker Our World In Data.
The rolling average has decreased slightly in recent days and is just over a third from the omicron peak of January 31.
Portugal is the fifth country in the world with the highest death rate from COVID-19 and hospitalizations are rising, but both are well below previous peaks.
Several tour companies contacted by Reuters have expressed fears about the increase, but have said they have had no cancellations so far. The number of foreign tourists in April in Portugal approached pre-pandemic levels.
More than 90% of the Portuguese population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Portuguese public health institute Ricardo Jorge said in a report Tuesday that the BA.5 subvariant of omicron accounts for almost 90% of new infections of the virus. COVID-19 in the country. The BA.4 subvariant has also been detected in Portugal.
Both promoted the fifth wave of COVID-19 in South Africa last month, and scientists say they were able to dodge antibodies from a previous infection.
“Portugal is probably the European country with the highest prevalence of this subvariant and this partly explains the high number (of cases) that we are seeing,” Health Minister Marta Temido told the radio station. RTP.
In April, the Portuguese government lifted most of the restrictions of the COVID-19 in Portugal, including the mandatory use of face masks in most closed public spaces, and has said there are no plans to reintroduce the restrictions.
Feared affirmed that the use of masks is still recommended and that the authorities will continue to distribute booster doses of the vaccine to the most vulnerable.
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