Portugal Reports Biggest Rise in New Virus Cases in Six Days

(Bloomberg) -- Portugal reported the biggest increase in new confirmed coronavirus cases in six days on Thursday, while the number of hospitalized patients rose.

There were 750 new cases in a day, taking the total to 18,841, the government said on Thursday. The total number of deaths rose to 629 from 599 reported through Wednesday morning.

• The number of hospitalized cases rose to 1,302 from 1,200, while those in intensive care units increased to 229 from 208.
• A total of 493 patients have now recovered, up from 383.
• Deaths so far indicate a fatality rate of 3.3%, while for those more than 70 years old it’s 12%, Secretary of State for Health Antonio Lacerda Sales said at a press conference in Lisbon on Thursday.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Thursday sent parliament his formal proposal to extend the state of emergency for another 15 days through May 2 to continue containing the outbreak. Depending on how data about the virus evolves, the government may have the possibility to decide on a future, gradual reopening of some services, the presidency said on its website. Portugal hasn’t shut down the economy entirely, with industrial and transport activities allowed to continue operating.

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