The DGS epidemiological bulletin also indicates that 4,560 people are hospitalised, 192 more than on Thursday, of which 622 are in intensive care, that is, 11 more, in both cases, also new highs.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020, Portugal has recorded 8,643 deaths associated with covid-19 and 528,469 infections by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with 125,861 cases now active, 4,046 more than on Thursday.

According to DGS data, 71% of the new cases registered today are in the regions of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and the North.

Health authorities have 142,740 contacts under surveillance, 3,748 more than in the previous day. The bulletin also reveals that 6,458 people were reportedly recovered.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in Portugal, in March, 394,065 people have recovered.

Regarding the 159 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, 65 occurred in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, 35 in the North region, 34 in the Center region, 15 in Alentejo and 10 in the Algarve region.

Also according to the DGS bulletin, in the region of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo 4,280 new infections were notified, accounting for 175,898 cases and 3,046 deaths so far.

The North region recorded 3,295 new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the last 24 hours. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the North region has recorded 248,965 cases of infection and 3,639 deaths.

In the Centre region, 2,041 more cases were recorded, with 69,353 infections and 1,332 deaths.

In the Alentejo, another 577 cases were reported, totalling 17,302 infections and 371 deaths since the beginning of the epidemic in Portugal.

The Algarve region has today reported 328 new cases, totalling 11,710 infections and 111 deaths.

Madeira registered 93 new cases. This autonomous region accounts for 2,410 infections and 22 deaths due to covid-19.

In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, 49 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours, totaling 2,831 infections and 22 deaths.

Confirmed cases are distributed across all age groups, with the highest number of infections between 20 and 59 years of age.

Of the total fatalities, 4,435 were men and 4108 women.

The largest number of deaths continues to be concentrated in the elderly over 80 years old, followed by the age group between 70 and 79 years old.