By Alyssa McMurtry
OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to batter Portugal, with the Health Ministry reporting new daily highs of 16,432 infections and 303 deaths on Thursday.
Amid a grim record in both infections and fatalities since the beginning of the outbreak, the situation in some hospitals in the country, particularly in the Lisbon region, remains dire.
Oxygen shortages have been reported, with ambulances forming long lines outside hospitals while limited medical staff with limited space rush to treat the onslaught of patients.
In a joint letter, the directors of seven hospitals said their centers were "in clear situation of catastrophe response," and criticized the unequal distribution of patients.
In an interview with broadcaster TVI on Wednesday night, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa called the situation "terrible" and predicted it would continue "for a few more weeks."
He said Portugal had sought aid from other countries, but it was difficult to send patients for treatment abroad due to the country's geographical position. He added that he had asked Germany to send doctors and nurses, "but unfortunately, they aren't available."
Meanwhile, Portuguese lawmakers on Thursday voted to extend the country's state of emergency until Feb. 14.
Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita said outbound travel "by air, land or sea" would be strictly limited for Portuguese nationals for at least 15 days.
"Just like we've already limited flights from the UK and Brazil, this will contribute to the European Union's strategy of limiting flights from high-risk areas," he explained.
Portugal has been under a lockdown since Jan. 15, though measures have been tightened with schools closed late last week as infections increased.
Costa said the lockdown's effects were expected to lead to falling case numbers next week.
