"The SNS 24 is stronger and able to respond better, it continues to be the primary channel for patients with coronavirus in the National Health Service", stressed the official at the daily press conference to update information related to infection with the new coronavirus, where Graça Freitas, the general director of Health, also was.

António Sales pointed out that Portugal has 1,142 ventilators, of which 528 in intensive care, 480 in operating theatres and 134 as expansion capacity.

To these are added about 250 ventilators from the private sector, said the Secretary of State.

"We are working to increase this much-needed response in conjunction with a 'task force' in the area of ??intensive care for planning and operationalising the respective resources", he stressed.

"The social society has also been mobilized and we work to effectively absorb the goodwill actions that are arriving, but we must not forget the most important thing that is the responsibility of each one of us in taking care of others", he maintained.

António Sales also appealed to those who can stay at home, who can and must do so. "We should all limit circulation and social contact to the maximum and be especially careful with the elderly and people who are part of another risk group".