Portugal records worst rate of Covid-19 cases in the world The people of Portugal are suffering the terrible fate of leading the world in terms of new coronavirus infections and deaths. Around 15,000 new infections and 250 deaths per 1 million inhabitants occurred last month, compared to the European Union (EU) average of 4,200 and 103. A record 16,432 new cases and 303 deaths from the virus were reported on January 28. In the month of January alone, nearly half of the 726,321 infections and 12,757 deaths since the start of the pandemic were reported. Graph showing the increase in COVID-19 infections and deaths in Portugal as of February 2. (graph courtesy of World Health Organisation)