The flu epidemic and constant ageing of the population have been attributed as main contributors in the rising death rate.
This is according to data published by the Directorate-General for Health, from the SICO/Mortality Watch institute.
According to the health authorities, the rise in deaths coincides with flu activity which this year was worse than last year’s flu season, and lasted for 18 weeks, having only subsided during the first week in May.
For the third consecutive year, most of the deaths occurred during the first five months of the year, but the overall figure registered during the first six months (and ten days) of this year was, according to the SICO, the highest of the past decade.
Winter is traditionally when deaths in Portugal peak, and 3 January 2018 was the date on which most deaths were registered, at 450 in 24 hours.
Authorities also say the humidity caused by the rainy weather in March and April could explain a rise in the number of respiratory infections, along with a general ageing of the population.