China sends medical supplies to Portugal to fight COVID-19

A plane from Beijing landed Sunday morning in Lisbon carrying medical supplies, including 144 ventilators and respiratory protection masks, destined for health authorities in Portugal.

The Airbus A330-941, chartered to TAP by the Portuguese government, carried a total of 20 tonnes and 160 cubic metres of medical cargo, which also included visors and protective suits, and a mixture of donations and purchases from the Portuguese government intended to equip hospitals.

The 144 ventilators are part of an order for 1,500 made by the Portuguese Ministry of Health, some of which correspond to donations. EDP, the main energy company in Portugal, controlled by China Three Gorges Holding, contributed largely. Portugal's parliament and government endorsed last Thursday a two-week extension of the country's state of emergency, while granting authorities enhanced powers to block the new coronavirus's spread. The state of emergency now runs through April 17. As of Sunday, Portugal has officially recorded 11,278 cases of COVID-19, with 295 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.

Image Credits: AP