Due to the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases over the past two weeks, the government of Portugal has included Lisbon in the list of cities on ‘alert’. This means that if the situation does not improve in the next valuation, capital may have to retreat from deflation.
“The Lisbon and Tagus Valley region has and continues to have increasing levels of incidence, and these levels of incidence are cause for concern,” said Presidency Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva.
Despite this, the minister said the level of growth of cases in Lisbon was already slower than last week.
The announcement was made Thursday (27), at the end of the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers which assesses the situation in the country. Besides Lisbon, six other cities are also on alert: Tavira, Vila do Bispo, Vila Nova de Paiva, Chamusca, Lisbon, Salvaterra de Magos and Vale de Cambra.
Currently, the transmission rate of the virus (Rt) in Lisbon is 1.14, which worries the authorities.
The incidence of new cases in the capital, over the past 14 days, was 143 cases per 100,000 inhabitants: more than double the national value of 54.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
In national terms, the Rt is at 1.07.
Although there are more new cases, the number of deaths, so far, is not following the trend. As of Thursday, the country recorded no deaths from the new coronavirus. Last week there were two consecutive days without fatalities.
Speaking to the press last Tuesday (25), the director of information and analysis services of the general directorate of health, André Peralta Santos, said that, if the situation is not under control, the region of Lisbon could reach 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in two or three weeks.
As a result, additional measures were announced for Lisbon, with a focus on increasing the number of tests, especially in educational institutions and businesses, in addition to speeding up the application of vaccines.
This week, the government also confirmed the anticipation of the vaccination schedule. With the reception of more doses, the Portuguese vaccination plan will simultaneously vaccinate several age groups.
Currently, people aged 50 or over can already plan for vaccination. At the beginning of June, the possibility will be extended to people from 40 years old and, from the 20th, to those who are 30 years old or over.