LISBON (Portugal) — Wednesday saw Portugal report its highest daily number of COVID-19 infected people since July. This is in spite of a rise in European cases. However, hospitalizations in Portugal are increasing slowly as 86% of the population are vaccinated.
On Thursday, the Portuguese government will announce what new pandemic restrictions they are implementing. This is seven weeks after removing almost all of them due to the high vaccine rate and perceived lower threat of the coronavirus.
Wednesday’s official report by the General Directorate for Health included 3,773 new cases. There were 681 patients admitted to hospitals and 105 in intensive care units. 17 people died. Since September, the number of patients who required hospitalization was at its highest level.
Portugal had reported less than 500 new infections on November 1, 360 people were hospitalized, 60 were in intensive care, and five deaths. These numbers were comparable to the ones a month prior.
This is a reflection of a larger surge in Europe. Some countries have tightened restrictions but the government said it doesn’t see the immediate need to lock down.
Antonio Lacerda Sales (junior minister for health) announced that booster shots will be available for those who have had the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot – approximately 250,000 people.
Authorities are looking into whether to inoculate children aged 5-11 years old.
