Portugal’s high temperatures have not been matched with a corresponding increase in deaths, in fact the mortality rate has declined during the recent hot weather, when compared to the same period last year.
The Director-General of Health, Francisco George, said he was pleased that the older members of society seem to have been following the guidelines issued by the health department as there has been no pressure on hospitals or mortuaries that can be attributed to the recent high temperatures.
According to the data available on the Directorate General for Health’s website, last Saturday there were 226 deaths in Portugal, whereas in 2015 there were 249. On Sunday, there were 188 deaths compared to 276 last year.
"There are no signs of increased mortality, even among the elderly," said Francis George, announcing that the DGS will keep on issuing hot weather advice in the media, especially on the radio.
"Often health issues associated with the heat do not appear immediately, so it is necessary to continue to take measures," said George.
Children, people aged 65 +, people with chronic diseases, people undertaking outdoor activities, isolated people and the poor are target groups for the heat advice.
Portugal’s weather service predicts "the continuation of warm weather with mostly clear sky and weak winds."
