Catarina Demony

"Media images of ambulances with coronavirus patients queuing outside hospitals in Lisbon and elsewhere as they waited for beds to vacate have raised fears the health system is close to reach its limit." More info: https://t.co/lebr4JXXH2

In Porto, the country's second biggest city, the Sao Joao hospital is already receiving "various" patients from Lisbon as hospitals in the capital struggle to cope (Source: hospital spokesperson) 7/7

Three major hospitals in Lisbon only had 3 intensive care beds left for coronavirus patients on Saturday morning. Images on Friday showed more than 10 ambulances with coronavirus patients queuing for hours as they waited for beds to vacate at a hospital in Torres Vedras 6/7

There are currently 622 people in ICUs and the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators said the number of coronavirus patients needing hospitalisation was likely to dramatically increase over the next week (Source: DGS) 5/7

The health system, which prior to the pandemic had the lowest number of critical care beds per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe, can currently accommodate a maximum of 672 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (Source: Health Ministry) 4/7

The number of infections per 100,000 people measured over the past 14 days is 901, more than double that in hard-hit Italy and France. (Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) 3/7

A new lockdown came into force in Portugal, a nation of just over 10 million people, on Friday. On the same day, authorities reported a record 159 COVID-19 deaths and cases reached their second-highest level since the start of the pandemic at 10,663 (Source: DGS) 2/7

This picture of ambulances queuing outside Portugal's biggest hospital, Santa Maria, is worrying at a time the country's fragile health system is under growing pressure due to a rise in coronavirus infections 1/7 https://t.co/niHMalP4rd

A friend from Porto sends me this picture of a newly opened, topically-named bakery called PÃODEMIA (play on words combining "pão" — the Portuguese word for bread — with "pandemia" — pandemic). I, for one, yearn for a global crisis centered on pastéis de nata and bolos. https://t.co/3t240Mo4tZ

One of Brazil’s most eloquent and sensitive political observers @NatuzaNery breaks down on TV tonight as she ponders the situation in Manaus. Who can blame her? What a nightmarish situation https://t.co/vJQ6YlTfI5

A headline for the ages: 15-Jan-2021 04:32:29 PM - BRAZIL PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO SAYS HE SHOULD BE ON THE BEACH RIGHT NOW

My kind of wine. https://t.co/VSa2ZYYCdZ

In Portugal, hundreds of people are posting pictures of themselves wearing 💋red lipstick💋 after the far-right presidential candidate insulted female candidate @mmatias_ for using it. Here's Spanish journalist and writer Pilar del Rio supporting the #VermelhoemBelem movement: https://t.co/HrcBBTdZzX

So happy and proud of you, @priyankamogul ❤️ https://t.co/OEmPIeDklO

Schools open, businesses closed as Portugal enters new lockdown https://t.co/0UXt2Kkhr4

British travel ban is "absurd", Portuguese foreign minister says https://t.co/YyYzvFDmuM

Cafe owner Francisco Pereira opened his doors one last time on Thursday before Portugal’s second lockdown comes into force to halt a record surge in coronavirus infections. Like many others, he fears his family business might not survive. Our story: https://t.co/EaEeBDgFIV https://t.co/pT7Wd2rwLe

Lisbon’s cafes, restaurants and shops opened doors one last time this morning before the second lockdown comes into force tomorrow. Many feel desperate, without knowing if they will be able to make ends meet for much longer. “Only time will tell,” one said. https://t.co/iqnAe0RkHN