COVID-19 | Daily Update

Wednesday, April 9th | COVID-19 Daily Update

CURRENT OUTLOOK

The Portuguese General Directorate of Health (DGS) today informed the number of 409 deaths and 13,956 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Portugal.

The number of deaths rose, from yesterday 380 to 409, plus 29, while the number of infected people increased from 13,141 to 13,956, plus 815 (growth rate of 6.2%). The number of recovered cases rose to 205.

There are 1173 persons hospitalized, 205 of which in intensive care units.

 

PANDEMIC IN PORTUGAL

We now entered 5 days with increased circulation restrictions known as “Operation Easter”.

Since last midnight until the end of next Monday, the 13th of April, no one can leave the usual municipality of residence, except for justifiable reasons such as work or health-related. A declaration issued by the employer is required.

Airports are closed and the police authorities will increase operations in railways and bus stations.

Yesterday, the prime minister admitted to the leaders of parties with a parliamentary representation the possibility of the state of emergency being renewed two more times, until May 17th. Also yesterday, the Portuguese Parliament debated and voted on more than 100 diplomas, all related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Government announces its decision regarding classroom activities in the third term.

According to the Ministry of Health, hospitals have hired more than 1,400 health professionals since the pandemic began. There are already more than 1,500 professionals removed from services because they are infected.

 

PANDEMIC IN EUROPE AND THE WORLD

The United Nations Security Council is discussing today, for the first time, the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The United States recorded 1,973 deaths from the new coronavirus yesterday. In the United Kingdom, there were 936 more deaths, bringing the casualties to more than seven thousand since the beginning of the pandemic.

In Spain, the number of deaths has already exceeded 15.000. In the last 24 hours, 683 people died, 74 fewer than those recorded on Wednesday. Also in Spain, members of the parliament are voting on the Government’s proposal to extend the state of emergency for another two weeks.

Germany now has 2,107 fatalities, 246 more than yesterday, and a total of 108,202 diagnosed cases, an increase of 4,974 in 24 hours.

The European Disease Center admits, in a technical report, the widespread use of masks by the population in closed places and with a higher concentration of people.

According to an AFP (French news agency) balance sheet released at 5:30 am, the COVID-19 pandemic killed more than 87,000 people worldwide, with more than 1.5 million infected.

 

MEDICAL PROGRESS

More than 15 pharmaceutical multinationals have joined a consortium that allows constant knowledge sharing. SIC TV told that the goal is to accelerate the creation and production of one or more vaccines to combat the new coronavirus.

In Italy, the hospitals in Padua and Verona are conducting experimental tests on the blood of recovered doctors, to understand how immunity to COVID-19 develops.

A tool was produced in Portugal that was adopted by WHO to plan a response to the new coronavirus, and which is already being used by several countries.

 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

The Eurogroup resumes today the videoconference to try to reach a political agreement on the European Union’s economic response to the crisis caused by COVID-19.

At the European Central Bank (ECB), President Christine Lagarde considers the possibility of debt forgiveness to companies “unthinkable”. In an opinion article published today in the “Público” newspaper, Lagarde explains how the ECB is supporting businesses and citizens.

In Portugal, the pandemic is creating financial difficulties for many families, forcing the State to adopt measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis. There are already 887 thousand people receiving extraordinary support. And, based on data from Banco de Portugal and INE (Portugal Statistics Bureau), more than 264,000 Portuguese may lose their jobs this year due to the recession caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

A survey carried out by the Portuguese Hospitality Association during the first days of April indicates that more than 90% of hotels in Portugal intend to use the simplified lay-off regime. INE estimates that a 25% drop in tourism in Portugal could lead to a 2.9% reduction in annual GDP.

 

FINANCIAL MARKETS

The Portuguese Stock Index PSI-20 opened today’s session rising 1.58%, before entering this extended weekend. The benchmark index of the Lisbon Stock Exchange has increased by 4% since the beginning of the week, after having suffered in March from the impact of the new coronavirus. In Europe, the day also started with gains. The Stoxx 600 added 1.1%, while the IBEX-35 rose 1.2%. The CAC-40 and DAX-30 registered more pronounced gains, around 1.5%.