The number of new daily cases has not been as high since February 13, when 2,856 infections were registered.

In the epidemiological bulletin of the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) it is noted that 509 people with covid-19 are hospitalised today, five more than on Wednesday, 113 of which are in intensive care units, seven fewer.

The Lisbon and Vale do Tejo area has 54.6 percent of the total of new infections, concentrating 1,339 new cases.

The North registered an increase in the number of new cases, with 566 having been notified in the last 24 hours, which represents 23.1 percent of the national total.

The five deaths in the last 24 hours occurred in the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region (4) and in the North region (1).

The data released by the DGS also show that there are over 1,210 active cases, totalling 34,681 and that 1,234 people were reported as recovered in the last 24 hours, increasing the national total to 830,224 recovered.

The number of contacts under surveillance by health authorities has decreased. There are 15 fewer people in these conditions, totalling 53,260.

The incidence of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in mainland Portugal continues to rise, standing at 176.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, as well as in the entire territory, which is 172.8, according to official data.

According to the joint epidemiological bulletin of the General Directorate of Health (DGS) and the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), released on Wednesday, the transmissibility index (Rt) remains at 1.14 in the entire national territory and rose from 1.14 to 1.15 in mainland Portugal.

The transmissibility index and the 14-day incidence data are updated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The region of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo, with the notification of 1,339 new infections, counts so far 341,377 cases and 7,267 deaths.

In the Northern region there are now 566 new infections by SARS-CoV-2, totalling 346,391 cases of infection and 5,366 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

In the Centre region there were more 235 cases, totalling 122,342 infections and 3,027 deaths.

In the Alentejo, 53 more cases were reported, totalling 31,050 infections and 972 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

In the Algarve region, today's bulletin reveals that 217 cases were registered, totalling 24,706 infections and 365 deaths.

The Autonomous Region of Madeira registered 16 cases, totalling 9,938 infections and 70 deaths due to covid-19 since March 2020.

The Azores now have 23 new cases, accounting for 6,202 cases and 34 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

The regional authorities of the Azores and Madeira publish their data daily, which may not coincide with the information published in the DGS bulletin.

Of the total number of fatalities, 8,975 were men and 8,126 women.

The greatest number of deaths continues to be concentrated in the elderly over 80 years old, followed by the age group between 70 and 79 years old.

Of the total number of deaths, 11,223 were over 80 years old, 3,651 aged between 70 and 79 years old, and 1,541 were aged between 60 and 69 years old.