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This Thursday Portugal records another 70 deaths related to covid-19 and 4,378 new cases of infection by the new coronavirus, according to the General Directorate of Health (DGS) bulletin.
Since the start of the pandemic, Portugal has registered 6,413 deaths and 387,636 cases of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with 221 active cases this Thursday, for a total of 68,690.
Regarding hospital admissions, the epidemiological bulletin of the DGS reveals that 2,853 patients are hospitalized, 137 less than on Wednesday, of which 505 are in intensive care, 6 less than the day before.
Health authorities have 88.78 contacts under surveillance, an increase of 1,935 from Wednesday.
The bulletin also reveals that 4,087 cases were recovered. Since the beginning of the epidemic in Portugal in March, 312,533 people have recovered.
DATA BY REGION
Regarding the 70 deaths registered in the last 24 hours, the bulletin reveals that 24 occurred in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, 28 in the North region, 13 in the Center region, 4 in Alentejo and one in Madeira.
According to the DGS bulletin, the northern region registered the highest number of new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the last 24 hours (1,952).
Since the start of the pandemic, the northern region has registered 199,720 cases of infection and 3,001 deaths. In the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, 1,271 new infections have been reported, with 124,812 cases and 2,220 deaths so far. In the Central region, 810 more cases were registered, with a total of 4,272 infections and 916 deaths.
In Alentejo, another 200 cases have been reported, for a total of 9,927 infections and 180 deaths since the epidemic began in Portugal. The Algarve region today reported 94 new cases, for a total of 6,906 infections and 64 deaths.
Madeira registered 34 new cases. Since March, this autonomous community has registered 1,366 infections and 11 deaths. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, 17 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours, totaling 1,633 infections and 21 deaths.
DATA BY GENDER AND AGE RANGE
Confirmed cases are distributed in all age groups, with the highest number of infections between 20 and 59 years.
The new coronavirus has already infected at least 174,158 men and 213,340 women in Portugal, according to DGS data, according to which there are 138 cases of unknown sex, which are under investigation, as these data are not provided automatically.
Of the total deaths, 3,332 were men and 3,081 women.
The highest number of deaths continues to be concentrated in the elderly over 80 years of age, followed by people between 70 and 79 years of age.
There are three new variants of the virus circulating in Portugal
A study on the genetic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus detected three new variants of the virus circulating in the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, advanced this Wednesday a researcher from the Ricardo Jorge National Institute of Health (INSA).
One of the three variants represents around 70% of the viral genomes analyzed in the study and is characterized by “a very specific mutation” that affects the regions where antibodies bind.
“Now we have verified in this study that we did it in collaboration with the Gulbenkian Institute of Sciences [IGC] that the variants that are characterizing this second wave in Portugal have mutations that were not described during the first wave ”, said João Paulo Gomes, head of the bioinformatics unit of the Department of Infectious Diseases at INSA.
The three most frequent variants, each recognized by a different change in the Spike protein (A222V, S477N or S98F), were detected in all regions of mainland Portugal, suggesting that they were the main co-responsible for the second epidemic wave of SARS -CoV. -two.
The coordinator of the “Study of the genetic diversity of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in Portugal” explained that this situation is the result of “a process of adaptation of the virus to humans.”
A guide to what we can and cannot do for Christmas and New Years
SIC has prepared some quick questions and answers about what we can and cannot do in this festive season, at a time when Portugal is in a state of emergency, due to the pandemic.
The Prime Minister, António Costa, warned that “just after Christmas a great effort must be made to contain it.”
Pedro nuns
NOT NATAL
CAN I VISIT THE FAMILY?
Yes. Travel between counties is allowed. However, the curfew must be observed.
WHAT TIME CAN I WALK ON THE STREET?
On December 24 and 25, you can until 2:00. On the 26th, the curfew begins at 11:00 p.m.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I HAVE AT HOME?
The government has not set any limits. However, there should be as few as possible. For example, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, says he will be with a maximum of five people.
CAN I HAVE A CHRISTMAS DINNER IN A RESTAURANT?
Yes. The restaurants will be open on December 24 and 25 until 1:00 am. However, the limit is six people per table.
NEW YEAR EVE
CAN I LEAVE THE BOARD?
Yes, as long as you leave before December 31st and return after January 4th. It is forbidden to move between municipalities during this period.
CAN I SPEND MIDNIGHT ON THE STREET?
No. The curfew is at 11pm across the country.
CAN I SPEND MIDNIGHT IN A RESTAURANT?
No. On December 31, restaurants close at 10:30 pm.
CAN I STAY AT A FRIEND’S HOUSE?
It’s not advisable. However, if it does happen, everyone should use common sense and care.
