Portugal on Monday reported a new highest daily death toll of 167 raising the total number of deaths to 9,028.

The nation's public health agency, the DGS, also reported 6,702 new cases raising the total number of infections to 556,503.

The surge in infections has seen the country's hospitals struggle to cope with the rising numbers.

About 664 coronavirus patients are under intensive care, just below the 672-maximum allocation of ICU beds out of a total of just over 1,000 in Portugal, according to health authorities.

"The impact is huge because the number of beds does not increase, the walls are not expandable and health workers are not multiplying," Antonio Pais de Lacerda, a doctor at Lisbon's biggest hospital, Santa Maria, told Reuters.

The news came amid frustrations among authorities that sections of the public were not adhering to the health guidelines and protocols, like the mandatory rule to work from home.

Last week, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a new nationwide lockdown after the country reported, at that time, its highest daily surge of COVID-19 deaths (156) and infections (10,556).

(With input from Reuters)