Portugal hit hardest by 2nd virus wave

MADRID

Portugal is listed as one of the risky countries for the novel coronavirus as the country was hit hardest by the second wave since September 2020 compared to the first one in March-April last year.

Portugal, which sets an example during the pandemic's first wave with its immediate and harsh measures to control the virus's spread, is now, in the second wave, paying a heavy bill caused by late measures due to economic concerns.

The average of daily infections in the country is 10 times higher compared to the first wave, while single-day fatalities rose eight-fold.

During the first wave, the southern European country recorded its highest daily deaths on April 8 and April 11 last year, when 35 people lost their lives, and the highest new infections on April 10, with 1,516 people diagnosed with COVID-19.

On Jan. 28-31, in the second wave, Portugal registered its highest number of deaths in a single day, with 303 fatalities, and another record in daily cases on Jan. 28, with 16,432 people testing positive for the virus.

According to data by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Portugal has recorded the highest COVID-10 infection rate among European countries, based on population and country size.

Portugal has also seen record death rates from the coronavirus for the last 14 days, with an average of 247 fatalities per 1 million people.

The density in hospitals in the country has reached its highest level since the beginning of the pandemic.

Local media reported that patients were treated in ambulances waiting in front of the hospitals, especially due to the density in the capital Lisbon and surrounding hospitals.

In Lisbon, the bed occupancy rate in intensive care units of hospitals currently stands at 80%.

The Portuguese government asked the EU for help, including treatment of its citizens with severe chronic diseases in other member states, adding that only Germany gave a positive response, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Portugal once again extended the state of emergency which has been in place since Nov. 9 and closed its borders on Jan. 29.

According to official figures, as of Feb. 1, some 12,757 people in Portugal lost their lives due to COVID-19, and 726,321 people have tested positive so far.

The country’s economy is also affected heavily by the pandemic, with the Portuguese Central Bank announcing that the total public debt by the end of 2020 reached its highest level, with a €20.4-billion rise compared to 2019.