In information sent to Lusa news agency, the ULS announced that it has reinforced the measures foreseen in the Seasonal Health Contingency Plan – Winter Module, “determining the mandatory use of masks for patients, companions, and professionals in all care provision spaces.”

“This measure aims to curb the chain of transmission of respiratory viruses and ensure greater protection for patients and healthcare professionals,” said the ULS.

According to the entity, “the reinforcement now implemented also includes the suspension of non-urgent activity, allowing for increased inpatient capacity and reinforcement of the Emergency Department teams, in a phase of high pressure.”

“Level 1 [of a total of four] of the Contingency Plan was activated last week in response to the significant increase in demand for health services, mainly for respiratory situations,” it clarified.

According to the ULS, “since then, several structural measures have been applied, such as increasing the number of beds, reinforcing professionals, accelerating clinical discharges, and referring patients with less complex conditions to the Pombal Hospital, ensuring more efficient management of care flows.”

“Level 1 is activated when there is a continuous increase in demand, especially in hospital admissions, and involves the implementation of several reinforcement measures,” the ULS explained previously.

The ULS also appealed to the population to contact the SNS 24 Line (808 24 24 24) before resorting to emergency services and to prioritize primary health care, namely the Complementary Care Service and consultations for acute illness, available at health centers.

The situation will continue to be monitored daily, allowing for adjustments to measures whenever necessary, the Local Health Unit (ULS) assured.

The area of ​​influence of the Leiria Region's ULS corresponds to the municipalities of Alcobaça, Batalha, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Nazaré, Ourém, Pombal, and Porto de Mós. It includes three hospitals (Leiria, Pombal, and Alcobaça) and 10 health centers.

Portugal has entered an epidemic phase of influenza with a growing trend, registering an increase in confirmed cases, including hospitalizations in intensive care, the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), warned on Friday.

“The data relating to influenza activity in this 2025-26 season (…) showed that in week 48, which began on November 24, influenza activity is epidemic,” Raquel Guiomar, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses at Insa, told the Lusa news agency.

The Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Epidemiological Surveillance Bulletin from INSA reveals that in the week of November 24-30, an increase in the incidence rate of severe acute respiratory infections was observed compared to previous weeks, reaching 10.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.