(Madrid) The Spanish health authorities expressed their great concern on Monday over the development of the epidemic in a part of Catalonia, isolated from the rest of the country and subjected to restrictive measures since Saturday.
Posted on July 6 2020 at 15 h 31
France Media Agency
“In the last few days, and especially during this weekend, we have recorded the highest number of cases in almost a month,” said the chief epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Fernando Simon, at a press conference.
According to figures published Monday by the Ministry of Health, the number of people who have been infected with the virus in the country amounts to 251 789, with close to 1250 new cases diagnosed since Friday, more than half of them in Catalonia.
On Saturday, the Catalan authorities announced that it was no longer possible to enter or leave an area around the city of Lerida, around 150 km west of Barcelona. In this area which counts some 200 00 0 inhabitants, traffic is not restricted but it is recommended to minimize travel and wear a mask in the street.
PHOTO PAU BARRENA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A police officer verifies the identity of a motorist at a checkpoint established on a road leading to Lleida, on July 4.
“We are concerned about the contamination in Lerida, we are very concerned,” said Mr. Simon. While most of the new outbreaks in Spain are under control, “some are reaching levels far beyond what is desirable”.
The Catalan health authorities have set up a field hospital near the main Lerida health center and have called for voluntary doctors.
PHOTO PAU BARRENA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The first sources of contamination seem to have appeared among seasonal workers who take part in the fruit harvest, before spreading among the population.
Since Sunday, the 70 00 0 inhabitants of the coastal region of A Mariña in Galicia (north-west), are also subject to restriction measures due to an increase in contamination with the new coronavirus.
Doctor Simon nevertheless pointed out that “in most of Spanish territory, there is no significant increase in risk”, while calling for “individual responsibility” of citizens.
Spain is one of the countries most affected by the new coronavirus pandemic, responsible for almost 28 400 dead on its soil.
According to a serological study published Monday, only 5.2% of the Spanish population has been immunized against the new coronavirus.
