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Portugal sees more deaths due to cold weather

Xinhua, January 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Portugal has seen 1,000 more deaths than expected by the General Directorate of Health this time of the year due to cold weather, local media reported on Tuesday.

The 1,000 deaths do not only comprise cold-related deaths but Portugal's Director-general for Health Francisco George has admitted that the deaths coincided with the cold weather and the seasonal flu virus.

However, Secretary of State for Health Fernando Leal da Costa told a press conference on Tuesday that the country was not undergoing an "emergency period or generalized chaos" due to flu, adding that the death rate should not be associated with the country's financial crisis and healthcare cuts.

Leal da Costa also denied that the deaths in emergencies had to do with delays in attendance by doctors, as claimed by opposition parties.

Around 54 healthcare units in Lisbon are prolonging their opening hours due to the flu season until Feb. 27, according to the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and the Tagus Valley. Endit