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Date Published: 16/05/2022

ARCHIVED - All Covid indicators rise since indoor masks removed: Spain update May 16

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Hospitalisations, ICU admissions and daily infections continue to creep up in Spain

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - All Covid indicators rise since indoor masks removed: Spain update May 16

After being in force for almost two years, Spain finally bid farewell to masks indoors on April 20, with the exception of hospitals, pharmacies, health centres and public transport. Since this date, the country has celebrated a number of important festivals such as Holy Week for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, and both of these factors have led to an increase in virtually every coronavirus indicator.

The most recent report from the Ministry of health on Friday May 13 shows that the cumulative incidence rate in people over the age of 60 has increased by a staggering 69.3% in little under a month. At the same time, hospital occupancy has increased by 27.7% while those being treated in the country’s ICUs has risen by 6%.

Despite this uncomfortable data, the Ministry remains adamant that Spain will continue on its path to normality and that restrictions such as quarantine for Covid positives will not be reintroduced.

Coronavirus infections

Since last Tuesday, an additional 68,234 coronavirus infections have been reported to the Ministry of Health since last Tuesday, 31,036 of which were diagnosed in older people.

This brings the total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 12,127,122 and is an increase of 390,229 cases in just a month.

Cumulative incidence rate

The 14-day cumulative incidence rate in over 60s climbed another 13 points and now stands at 856.56 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This indicator has been increasing steadily in recent weeks and has risen considerably compared to April 19, when the figure was just 505.68 cases.

Andalucía continues to register the lowest 14-day rate in the country, with 499.15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by the Balearic Islands (613.36) and Catalonia (613.39).

The Region of Murcia is still hovering at double the Spanish national average while the Valencian Community is slightly lower, at 707 cases.

Hospitalisations

There were 7,200 people hospitalised for Covid in Spain on May 13, 1,565 more than on April 19. In addition, 336 people are being treated in the country’s intensive care units.

The majority of autonomous communities have registered increases in hospital admissions since indoor masks were scrapped, with Castilla-La Mancha notifying the most substantial rise of 188.3%.

On the other hand, this figure fell in six regions: Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Galicia and Melilla.

Fatalities

In the last four days, the communities have reported an additional 121 Covid-related fatalities, which is a 1% increase in the figure registered on April 19.

This data brings the overall death toll since the start of the pandemic to 105,444.

Vaccination data

As of May 13, a total of 39,059,866 people, representing 92.6% of the population over the age of 12 are now double jabbed. In addition, 39,222,113 people, or 93%, have had at least one vaccine.

Now read: How to get a Covid passport and how to book an appointment for a vaccine or booster jab in Spain

Image: Ministry of Health

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