ARCHIVED - Valencia region: Covid Update Friday July 16

14-day cumulative incidence rate in the Valencia region rises to 432 - up 24 points in one day - but still below the national average of 537.

It's clear the Valencia region is gripped in a fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic as new daily cases have continued to skyrocket this week with the incidence rate jumping from 269 per 100,000 cases a week ago to 432.

According to the region's Ministry of Health, there have been 2,754 new infections in the last 24 hours - including 640 in Alicante province, the highest recorded since February 18 - and the region has the eighth highest incidence rate, behind the likes of Catalonia with 1,160, and Navarra (864). but above the Region of Murcia (236), Andalusia (351) and Madrid (387).

While the regional government previously assured hospitals and clinics were not feeling the pressure of the surge, this is certainly not currently the case, with admissions rising this week and the Ministry of Health admitting "primary care centres are close to collapse", as 32 municipalities were plunged back into night curfews with limitations on social and family gatherings.

This tightening of restrictions followed an easing of measures, such as the relaxation of rules on mask wearing, an opening of nightlife venues and borders ahead of the summer season, and hot on the heels of a number of outbreaks following end-of-year student trips to Mallorca.

Since then, there has been a monumental spike in the number of positives amongst young people and children, and only today it was confirmed two newborns, both just one-month-old are being treated at Hospital de la Ribera in Alzira, Valencia, along with their respective mothers who have also tested positive.

Health data clearly shows the biggest growth in infections is being seen in groups who have yet to be vaccinated - those under the age of 29 - where the incidence rate has leapt to a staggering 1,239 cases per 100,000 young people in the last few weeks.

The president of the Valencian government, Ximo Puig, has warned this week that the measures already imposed in parts of the community could be extended after July 25, and may even be enforced in other municipalities if the health data does not improve. 

Today's data brings the total number of positives since the start of the pandemic in the region to 428,831.

Hospitals: There are currently 447 Covid patients being treated in Valencian hospitals (up from 421 on Thursday), of which 62 are in ICU (up from 61). In Alicante province, there 57 hospital admissions, eight in ICU.

Recoveries: 1,503 people have recovered in the last 24 hours, meaning 410,982 people have been given the all-clear since the start of the pandemic

Fatalities: There have been no deaths recorded in the last seven days, meaning the total remains at 7,470 (2,850 in Alicante province).

Vaccinations: A total of 2,924,862 people have received at least one dose and 2,934,038 are fully immunised (a total of 858,001 in Alicante province).

IMAGE: GVA