Thursday 6 August 2020

The covid-19 infections in Spain continue to cause international concern. The Ministry of Health for Spain has registered 1,683 new infections in the last 24 hours, 89 less than yesterday when 1,772 were reported. The total number of people infected since the start of the pandemic rises to 309,855. This total represents 4,088 cases more than yesterday, a discrepancy caused by those tests that take more than a day to become known and two communities that failed to provide data. There are currently 580 active outbreaks affecting 6,900 people.

Twentytwo deaths from coronavirus have been registered in the last week. One new death has been reported in the last 24 hours. The total deaths in the pandemic rises to 28,500. The data excludes deaths in residences and those who had symptoms compatible with Covid-19 but did not undergo a diagnostic test. Spain’s mortality rate has returned to normal compared with the same period over the previous five years, with no excess deaths since 18 May.

Catalonia has reported 706 new infections in the last 24 hours, with 11 deaths. The daily number of new infections has fallen from yesterday when 955 were registered in 24 hours, but the number of deaths has risen. New hospital admissions total 576, a decrease on yesterday's total of 607. Numbers in intensive care units have fallen from 111 to 108.

The average age of positive cases in Catalonia continues to drop slightly, falling in the last three weeks from an average of 39.5 years to 36.7. More infections are linked to nightlife than family gatherings.

There are a number of reasons for daily discrepancies in data for new infections for Spain. The chart below is based on various sources that are tracking and aggregating coronavirus data and shows the daily change in new cases for Spain including those tests that take more than a day to become known.

Source: Google, based on Wikipedia and other authoritative sources

The Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia has lifted the obligation for bars, restaurants, beach bars and casinos to close at the latest at midnight.

The Ministry of Health for Catalonia has announced voluntary restrictive measures for the metropolitan area of Barcelona, given the upward evolution of covid-19 infections. These measures will be in place until 17 August. Citizens of the affected municipalities are advised to stay at home except for essential journeys. Meetings of more than 10 people are prohibited and the capacity in bars and restaurants is limited to 50%. Nightlife and cultural activities should be avoided. The regional government has stopped short of imposing a mandatory lockdown and said the measures were meant to avoid having to do so. Four million Catalans are subject to these restrictions.

Most regions in Spain have now made the use of face masks obligatory in both indoor and outdoor public spaces, even when social distancing of 1.5 metres is observed. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply.

The UK FCO advises against all non-essential travel to Spain including the Balearic and Canary Islands based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are no longer exempt. This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of COVID-19 in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona).

France has advised its citizens against travel to Aragon due to the epidemic situation, the second Spanish autonomous community affected by this recommendation. France advised against travel to Catalonia from July 24. Hungary will now require travellers arriving from Spain to take a negative PCR test or quarantine. Swiss health authorities have announced that they will impose a 10-day quarantine on travellers from Spain with the exception of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. The German government has advised against non-essential travel to the Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarra as a result of the 'high number of coronavirus infections'. The Dutch government has also advised against all non-essential travel to Barcelona and urged its citizens to immediately return to the Netherlands and quarantine. Slovenia has imposed a quarantine on travellers from Valencia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Aragon and Navarra.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom are not required to self-isolate on arrival but will be subject to a series of three health checks. These checks involve:

• providing the Spanish Ministry of Health with contact information and any history of exposure to COVID-19 by following the instructions on the Spain Travel Health website or downloadable app 48 hours prior to travel. It is mandatory for all passengers travelling to Spain to fill out and sign the online form associated with your trip, regardless of your nationality or residency status. On completion, you will be issued a personal and non-transferable QR code which you must show (electronically or hardcopy) at airport health controls on arrival;
• a temperature reading;
• a visual health assessment.

Wednesday 5 August 2020

The covid-19 infections in Spain have increased again. The Ministry of Health for Spain has registered 1,772 new infections in the last 24 hours, 594 more than yesterday when 1,178 were reported. The total number of people infected since the start of the pandemic rises to 305,767. This total represents 2,953 cases more than yesterday, the discrepancy of 1,181 caused by those tests that take more than a day to become known. Two communities have not provided data. The Ministry of Health has explained that Castilla La Mancha has not been able to upload data due to technical problems and the Basque Country has not uploaded data due to local festivities.

Twentyfive deaths from coronavirus have been registered in the last week. One new death has been reported in the last 24 hours. The total deaths in the pandemic rises to 28,499. The data excludes deaths in residences and those who had symptoms compatible with Covid-19 but did not undergo a diagnostic test. Spain’s mortality rate has returned to normal compared with the same period over the previous five years, with no excess deaths since 18 May.

Catalonia has reported 955 new infections in the last 24 hours, with 10 deaths. The daily number of new infections has increased 54% from yesterday when 622 were registered in 24 hours, but the number of deaths has fallen. New hospital admissions total 607, a decrease on yesterday's total of 632. Numbers in intensive care units have risen from 108 to 111. From July 12 to August 1, 147 people have died in Catalonia from Covid-19. Twenty people died between July 12 and 18, 52 died from 19 to 25, and a total of 75 from July 26 to August 1, in a clearly upward trend.

Barcelona Coronavirus - daily updates and advice for visiting groups

UK FCO Advice Friday, August 7th, 2020: FCO advises against all non-essential travel to Spain