"I appeal to chronic, oncological, hypertensive or diabetic patients should not be afraid to go to the emergency services, health centres, the hospital or call the SNS24 line", said Lacerda Sales at the daily press conference on the pandemic by covid-19, held at the Ministry of Health.

Several news reports show the fear expressed by patients, who do not have the covid-19 disease, to go to health facilities for fear of being infected by the new coronavirus.

"If you had to go to a hospital, don't be afraid because the circuits and flows are perfectly defined and there are strict and very strict safety measures where non-covid-19 patients can and should be assisted", assured the Secretary of State.

Today Portugal registers 567 deaths associated with covid-19, 32 more than on Monday, and 17,448 infected (more 514), indicates the epidemiological bulletin released by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).

In relation to Monday, when 535 deaths were registered, today there was a 6% increase (32 more).