Compared with 14 June, mainland Portugal now records 65 more active outbreaks, but, despite the increase, the DGS notes that these data "contrast sharply" with the maximum recorded in February, when there were 921 active outbreaks in mainland Portugal.

More than half of the active outbreaks of Covid-19 are concentrated in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, with 203, 35 more than those recorded on 14 June, while the North region records 49 outbreaks, 19 more.

The Algarve region records 26 active outbreaks, three more than on Monday, the Alentejo 16, three more, and the Central region 12, five more.

According to DGS data, 116 active outbreaks are in education and teaching establishments in the public and private sectors (schools, higher education, day care centres and other social facilities)

"At the time of reporting, there were 666 cases of Covid-19 accumulated in these active outbreaks, which concern students, professionals and cohabitants of the same, part of which will have already recovered," says the health authority in response sent to Lusa

It also stresses that this is "a significantly lower number than at the beginning of the year", during the period when teaching activities were still taking place, when 190 outbreaks were recorded.

There are also two active outbreaks in health institutions with four confirmed cases, the DGS said, without specifying the regions where they are located.

It also notes the existence of six outbreaks in nursing homes, five of which in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region and one in the Algarve region, corresponding to 54 cases of Covid-19, part of which have now recovered.

"Also in this sector the reduction in the number of outbreaks has been significant. In February, Portugal recorded the highest number of active outbreaks in nursing homes: 405", says the DGS, stressing that "the drastic decrease in this context demonstrates the importance that vaccination has had in controlling the pandemic and protecting the most vulnerable population".

An active outbreak is constituted by two or more confirmed cases with an epidemiological link between them in time and space. Only after 28 days have passed since the date of diagnosis of the last confirmed case (two incubation periods without new cases) is the outbreak considered closed.