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Portugal Reports Biggest Rise in New Virus Cases in Five Days

Portugal Reports Biggest Rise in New Virus Cases in Five Days

(Bloomberg) --

Portugal reported the biggest increase in new confirmed coronavirus cases in five days on Wednesday, while the number of hospitalized patients fell.

There were 643 new cases in a day, taking the total to 18,091, the government said on Wednesday. The total number of deaths rose to 599 from 567 reported through Tuesday morning.

  • The number of hospitalized cases fell to 1,200 from 1,227 reported on Tuesday, while cases in intensive care units dropped to 208 from 218.
  • A total of 383 patients have now recovered, up from 347.
  • Deaths so far indicate a fatality rate of 3.3%, while for those more than 70 years old it’s 11.7%, Secretary of State for Health Antonio Lacerda Sales said at a press conference in Lisbon on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa reaffirmed on Wednesday that containment measures have to stay in place at the moment to limit the outbreak. The economy was never entirely shut by the government, with industrial and transport activities allowed to continue operating, Costa said in comments broadcast by RTP.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.