By Reuters Staff 2 Min Read LISBON, May 26 (Reuters) - Portugal’s government reported on Thursday a public deficit of 4.8 billion euros in the first four months of 2021, nearly three times higher than a year ago, after massive spending to support businesses and families during the coronavirus lockdown. To fight a surge in COVID-19 infections in mid-January, which at the time was the deadliest outbreak per capita in the world, Portugal imposed a strict three-month lockdown, which has since been gradually lifted. “The deficit is explained by the impact of the lockdown and the response to the pandemic, including the extraordinary measures targeted at families and businesses,” the finance ministry said in a statement.