COVID-19 | Daily Update

Thursday, July 2nd | COVID-19 Daily Update

CURRENT OUTLOOK 

In Portugal, eight fatalities and 328 new people infected with COVID-19 were recorded in the last 24 hours, reveals the General Directorate of Health (DGS) daily epidemiological bulletin.  

The data released today show that the number of fatalities rose from 1,579 to 1,587, while confirmed cases increased from 42,454 to 42,782. The majority of the new cases of infection are still happening in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (83%). 

The number of people recovered today is 299.

PANDEMIC IN PORTUGAL

In an interview, Health Minister Marta Temido guarantees that the national capacity for intensive care has never been exceeded. 

Asked about the occupancy of the 95 beds reserved for patients with COVID-19 in Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, the minister said that they are not all occupied. The Minister of Health also admits failures and delays in combating the new coronavirus, but guarantees that the Government is working to improve the response.  

Marta Temido also stated that there are no new cases of COVID-19 associated with the intensive use of public transports in the capital city area. 

The Secretary of State for Health, Jamila Madeira, assumed yesterday that "there are difficulties" in the contact between the health authorities and the active cases of COVID-19 because of "false addresses and changes in the addresses".

In Vila do Conde, an outbreak of the virus was detected in a canned fish factory, after some workers tested positive for the new coronavirus, confirmed a source from the Northern ARS.

Regarding the controversy with the purchase of the drug Remdesivir by the USA, Infarmed clarified yesterday that Portugal has an available stock of this medicine, which proved effective in the treatment of COVID-19.

PANDEMIC IN EUROPE AND THE WORLD 

Rte European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen announced today that she has invited the presidents of the Council and the European Parliament, as well as the rotating EC presidency, to a meeting that aims to pave the way for a swift agreement on the recovery package.

Regarding the numbers of COVID-19 in the world, in Germany more than 503 confirmed cases and nine deaths were recorded, while in the USA, 706 deaths and 48,830 infections were registered in the last 24 hours, according to a balance sheet from Johns Hopkins University. 

India is exceeding 60,000 cases after the country recorded 19,148 infections.

MEDICAL PROGRESS

The German company BioNTech and the American pharmaceutical laboratory Pfizer announced, yesterday, positive preliminary results of their joint vaccine project against the new coronavirus in 45 participants.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

In Portugal, the majority of the unemployed who registered at the employment centres until the end of May were still receiving no social benefits.  

In Spain, unemployment figures reached 3.8 million in June, with another 5,107 people registering as unemployed. 

Regarding the TAP case, the Government has reached a pre-agreement that will prevent the nationalization of the airline, after long negotiations during the early hours of today.

In the health sector, the Supplementary Budget measures that were approved yesterday by the Members of the Parliament in the committees privileged the health sector and social support. 

At the same time, regarding the lay-off, the PSD's proposal to extend support to partner-managers who had reduced activity due to the pandemic was approved. 

Dozens of countries will be exempt from quarantine restrictions when entering the UK after travelling abroad. However, it is still uncertain whether Portugal will be included in this group.

FINANCIAL MARKETS

The Portuguese stock exchange continued to rise this morning for the second consecutive session, with the PSI-20 gaining 0.57%, to 4,375.96 points. 

Among the 18 companies that are part of the main national index, 13 were up two down and three unchanged.