In a statement, the DGS said that there was an increase in the transmission of Covid-19, with 16 cases in seven days per 100,000 inhabitants on June 9, showing an increasing trend.

This value exceeded last winter's 'peak' incidence of 12 cases every seven days per 100,000 inhabitants, but is lower than that recorded last summer of 42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, says the DGS.

Data consulted by Lusa on the DGS portal indicate that between June 9th and 16th, 2,337 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed and 68 deaths were recorded in Portugal.

According to the statement, this growth coincides with the increased prevalence of a descendant of the JN.1 sublineage of the coronavirus, KP.3, which was recently classified as a variant under monitoring by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

“There is also an increasing trend in the proportion of emergency episodes due to Covid-19 in all regions and age groups, with the growth being more evident in older age groups”, added the general directorate.

According to DGS data, specific mortality from Covid-19 corresponded to nine deaths every 14 days per million inhabitants, a value lower than the maximum values ​​recorded in the last winter and summer, respectively 10 and 13 deaths per one million inhabitants.

All values ​​are below the ECDC threshold of 20 deaths every 14 days per million inhabitants, says the DGS.

The DGS recommends that, in case of symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, and difficulty breathing, you should wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and avoid closed environments or crowds of people.