Portugal’s Covid-19 hospitalizations drop to lowest since September

Lisbon, Apr 7 (efe-epa).- The number of coronavirus patients in Portuguese hospitals has fallen to 488, a record low since September, the Directorate-General of Health reported on Wednesday.

However, the number of patients in intensive care has increased by three people to 116, according to the official data.

Portugal has detected 663 cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 825,031 and 16,890 respectively.

The country has moved to phase 2 of its reopening plan, with the following stage scheduled for 19 April, although the measure will be subject to review.

The government is expected to extend the state of emergency, which expires on 15 April, for a maximum of 15 days in order to maintain legal underpinning for the drastic health and safety measures.

Portugal’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Wednesday said that this would hopefully be the last time the highest alert level in the country is renewed. EFE-EPA

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