“Today’s numbers are not good,” commented Fernando Simon, chief epidemiologist at the Spanish Ministry of Health, explaining that the data “are very different between different age groups, with the younger rate of infection reaching nearly 600 cases per 100,000 residents.”
That indicator again exceeded 200 (204 per 100,000 residents in the past two weeks) versus an average of 152.8 on Friday, when health data was last published.
In the past 72 hours, the Spanish Ministry of Health identified 32,607 new cases of coronavirus and 23 deaths.
Simon considered the situation to be “complicated”, but said he was “satisfied” with not feeling it within the “standards of attractiveness”, that is, in the number of people in hospitals or deaths.
At the same time, the vaccination campaign is accelerating: 40.3% of the population of about 47 million Spaniards have been fully vaccinated against the new coronavirus, while more than half (55.9%) have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
In light of the deteriorating health situation, several regions in Spain, such as Andalusia and Catalonia, are planning to return restrictions this week, after last June 26, the use of masks is no longer mandatory outdoors.
Last week, a massive outbreak erupted in the Balearic Islands, where 1,824 people were found infected.
Nearly 6,000 people have been quarantined across Spain.
With nearly 81,000 deaths and more than 3.8 million cases, Spain is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic in Europe.
William Shakespeare is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, history, and current affairs. With a keen eye for storytelling and analysis, he produces informative articles that help readers understand the people, ideas, and events influencing modern life.
