The most recent report by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) and the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), also points out the pressure on health services.

The document indicates that the specific mortality per Covid-19 (21.8 deaths in 14 days, per 1,000,000 population) also shows “a stable trend”.

“This mortality rate reveals a high impact of the pandemic on mortality”, the authorities say.

According to DGS and INSA, the number of new cases of infection by SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, per 100,000 inhabitants, accumulated in the last 14 days, was 630 cases, with an increasing trend nationwide and growing strongly in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region.

This information reveals that, in the age group of 65 years or older, the number of new cases of coronavirus infection, per 100,000 inhabitants, accumulated in the last 14 days, was 244, with a "stable trend nationwide".

"The R(t) has a value equal to or greater than 1, indicating a growing trend in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections at the national level (1.11) and in all regions except the Centre and Algarve regions", reads the document.

DGS and INSA estimate that, if this growth rate is maintained, at the national level, “the threshold of 960 cases in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants can be exceeded between 15 and 30 days. The region of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo was the one with the highest R(t) value (1.22)”.

The authorities warn that "the period of dominance of the Omicron variant will likely lead to an increase in the number of contacts due to the festivities and will result in a rapid increase in incidence, with the impact on health services and mortality of a magnitude that is still uncertain".

For this reason, DGS and INSA “strongly” recommend “strengthening measures of social distancing, testing, booster vaccination of eligible groups and building the capacity of health services for a rapid increase in demand is strongly recommended”.