The SNS24 issued this month, until the 25th, more than 224 requests for tests to covid-19, of which 12.390 only on Christmas Day, according to the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (SPMS).
SPMS data indicate that during the month of December (until the 25th) 224.606 test requests were issued to covid-19, of which 87.857 were issued in the last week.
The information sent to Lusa agency also mentions that, in the same period, a total of 24 provisional declarations of prophylactic isolation were issued by the SNS 164.184, of which 64.959 in the last week (9.584 on Christmas day).
In view of the “very sharp and sudden growth” in demand for the SNS24 line, the SPMS refer that “a set of measures were taken, in close coordination with the DGS and the operator Altice Portugal”, highlighting the opening of new 'call centers' (one already operating in Coimbra and another opening in January in Beja).
They also point to “training and hiring new professionals”, making a total of 5.000, mostly nurses, but also psychologists, pharmacists, dentists, administrative staff, Portuguese Sign Language interpreters and sixth-year medical students, and “diversification categories of professionals and their respective tasks to optimize service on the line”.
The services also indicate that some algorithms were revised “to increase their efficiency” and that there was a “wider adoption of automated attendance solutions”.
“These interventions, especially those of a technological nature, were intensified during the Christmas season. However, we expect that after Christmas the pressure on the line will continue to grow, so we will continue to adopt all emergency measures that contribute to safeguarding the quality of the service”, they add.
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