Infections reach 9,000 a day in Portugal, the highest figure since February
Coronavirus infections soared in Portugal and touched 9,000 today, the highest daily figure since the beginning of February, a day after the Government announced a tightening of restrictions at Christmas. According to the latest bulletin from the Portuguese Directorate General of Health (DGS), 8,937 infections were reported, a maximum since February 3, the last time the 9,000 barrier was exceeded. This is a significant rise compared to recent days, when they had not even reached 6,000 a day. Active cases across the country topped 78,000, also the highest number since February, when Portugal was beginning to emerge from its deadliest wave and was still confined.
Even so, the levels of mortality and hospitalizations are much lower than then. While at the beginning of February between 200 and 300 people died a day, this Wednesday eleven deaths were reported. In hospitals, where in February there were more than 6,000 patients admitted with the virus, there are currently 909 hospitalized, five more than the previous day. Of that total, 155 are in intensive care units. The incidence at 14 days increased and stands at 579.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while the transmission index (Rt) remains stable at 1.07.
The increase in infections comes after the Portuguese Government announced new restrictions for the Christmas holidays. The closure of nightlife and mandatory telework, which were scheduled for January 2, will be brought forward to the 25th. In addition, the obligation to present a negative test will be extended even in vaccinated for more cases, such as hotels, weddings and baptisms and shows cultural The test will also be necessary to enter restaurants on designated days such as Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when meetings of more than 10 people on public roads will also be prohibited. (Eph)
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