FILE PHOTO: Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrives to attend a visit and a dinner at the Orsay Museum on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, in Paris, France, November 10,
LISBON - Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tested negative twice for COVID-19 on Tuesday, his office said, after a positive test on Monday evening caused alarm ahead of a presidential election on Jan. 24 as deaths from the virus hit new peaks.
The 72-year-old, who is in the middle of an election campaign seeking a second term, cancelled public appearances on Tuesday and was self-isolating after Monday's test result.
He will await instruction from health authorities, the statement said.
Meanwhile, health experts met in Lisbon to discuss the details of a new lockdown as the latest data showed the worst daily toll yet of 155 deaths, with the numbers in hospital and intensive care also at record highs.
The country of 10 million people has so far reported a total of 8,080 deaths and 496,552 cases, with a steep surge in infections after Christmas placing severe pressure on the health system.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa said a new lockdown due to come into force later this week would likely last a month.
He has previously said it should be similar to restrictions in place at the beginning of the pandemic in March and April, when non-essential businesses were closed and travel was restricted. New measures are due to be announced on Wednesday.
