Anyone planning on going to Spain for a summer holiday has been warned to take care after a recent increase in Covid-19 infections there. Its Ministry of Health revealed there were 68,186 reported cases of coronavirus on June 24.
Like many other European countries, Spain has seen a sharp increase in infections, a trend expected to rise until it hits its peak in three weeks. The new figure represents an increase of around 20,000 cases having previously stood at 48,272.
Madrid, the Canary Islands and La Rioja are the areas of most concern, all of which have exceeded the 1,000 case barrier. While the Murcia region has seen a sharp increase, Andalucia, remains bottom of the list.
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Spain is now dealing with a seventh wave of the virus, although “almost no patients are admitted to the ICU anymore” according to experts. Dr June Torres, head of Internal Medicine at the Infanta Leonor Hospital, said: "We are in full swing and we won’t reach the peak for three weeks."
The present wave is said to mainly affect older people. Dr Torres said those who are vulnerable “have to continue protecting themselves” as “the pandemic is not over”.
At present, over 8,000 patients being treated for Covid-19 throughout Spain. Hospital bed occupancy rates and ICU places have also seen a slight increase.
The expert warned the two new strains of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5, that have caused the current wave in Spain are continuously changing and so health measures must be maintained. Spain’s Ministry of Health said no difference in severity has been noted in the new strains.
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