Spain: Surge in Covid cases

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Source: https://english.elpais.com/society/2...-detected.html

Coronavirus incidence in Spain rises another 32 points in a day, with 26,390 new cases detected
Catalonia, one of the worst-affected regions right now, is seeking approval for a curfew in 158 municipalities. Meanwhile, 47% of the population now has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19
El País
Madrid - 15 Jul 2021 - 4:00 EDT

The 14-day cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants continues to rise in Spain, going up a further 32.75 points in 24 hours according to Wednesday’s Health Ministry report to reach 469 – a level last seen in February during the third wave of the virus. The incidence, Health Minister Carolina Darias pointed out on Wednesday, has risen from 225 in just a week during the fifth wave.

The ministry reported 26,390 new cases, and added 10 Covid-19 victims to the overall death toll. In total, 4,041,474 coronavirus infections have been formally recorded since the pandemic took hold in Spain, while 81,043 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19.

In terms of age groups, the incidence continues to be highest among those in the 20-29 age group, with 1,508 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days. In the 12-19 bracket, the incidence is 1,252. “Given that the incidence is linked to younger people, the rise in hospitalizations has been minor,” Darias added on Wednesday. “But there is a risk that they could end up being affected. We can’t rule out serious cases among young people,” she said.

The worst-affected region, according to Wednesday’s report, is Catalonia, with an incidence of 1,252 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days. Castilla y León is next, with 779 cases, followed by Navarre with 700. Cantabria, Asturias and Aragón are the other three territories with an incidence over 500...

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Source: https://english.elpais.com/society/2...-in-spain.html

Hospital admissions of Covid-19 patients double in two weeks in Spain
The 14-day national incidence of the virus is now above 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants once more. The pressure on the healthcare system is still much lower than in other waves, but some hospital procedures are being rescheduled in regions such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands
Jessica Mouzo
Barcelona - 16 Jul 2021 - 3:20 EDT


The fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain is starting to have an effect on hospital admissions. With the curve of infections on the rise since the end of June, and the 14-day cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants now at 500.75 – the highest figure since February – the number of Covid-19 patients has nearly doubled in the space of just two weeks: 4,705 people infected with the virus are currently hospitalized in Spain, according to the latest Health Ministry report, released on Thursday. The report also notified 27,688 new infections and added 41 victims to the overall death toll.

The pressure on the healthcare system is still far from that seen in previous waves – at the end of January, there were more than 30,700 Covid-19 patients. But some hospitals in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands have already had to reschedule procedures related to other illnesses and to suspend hospital visits given the spike in new cases.

Another issue is that this latest wave is taking place during the summer, when there are staff shortages due to vacations and insufficient personnel to cover the growing demand for treatment.

Given that the vast majority of infections are being registered among young people, who usually experience mild symptoms or are asymptomatic and do not require hospitalization, it is the primary healthcare system that is suffering the most during this fifth wave.

Neither the experts consulted by EL PAÍS nor the central government expect this overload to be transferred to the hospitals as happened during other waves, overwhelming intensive care units (ICUs) once more. The majority of the vulnerable sectors of Spain’s population are now protected against the severe effects of Covid-19 thanks to the vaccination campaign. But this does not mean that hospitals will be completely free of the effect of the rise in cases...