As of mid‑January, almost 2,800 patients were still in public hospitals awaiting social care support or placement in continuing (long‑term) care: DE‑SNS data show 734 awaiting a social‑care response and 2,034 awaiting a continuing‑care place. Between 1 and 14 January this year, 61 patients were admitted to social care (58 via District Centres of Social Security and 3 via the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Lisbon). A ministerial order revising institutional coordination comes into force on Wednesday.