Graça Freitas, general director of Health, warned today, July 13, to the dangers of the heat that will be felt this week, with a special warning for children, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill, as they represent the most vulnerable groups.
Graça Freitas took advantage of the press conference aimed at assessing the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 in Portugal to warn of another health risk: the excessive heat forecast for the next few days, which could translate into «greater morbidity and possibly higher mortality».
During this week, "very high temperatures are expected with tropical nights, that is, nights when the temperature will not drop below 20º", stressed the Director-General of Health, recalling that there are four large groups that end up be more vulnerable: children, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill.
Therefore, the responsible for the DGS recalled some "basic measures" such as drinking water or natural fruit juices without sugar, stressing that it is necessary to drink even if you do not feel thirsty or wear loose and cool clothes, a hat and sunglasses .
Meals should be cold and light and should be several times a day and people should stay for two or three hours in cool environments, because "the body has thermal regulation mechanisms but it needs help," he warned.
Avoiding too much physical exertion and not being in the sun during the hottest hours were other recommendations left today by the DGS, which recalled the numbers to which people should call if they feel unwell: 112 or 808 24 24 24, of the NHS24.
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