Coronavirus in Spain full update (12 April)

Report updated in Spain at 12h on Sunday 12 April.

The latest figures released by the Spanish Health Ministry at 11.30am on Sunday 12 April now confirm 166,019 known cases of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Spain, 4,167 more than yesterday – continuing the downward trend in the rate of new infections, as non-essential workers now prepare a return to work.

Saturday’s figure had been an increase of 4,830 on Friday. Friday’s figure had been an increase of 4,576 on Thursday – and Thursday had been an increase of 5,756 over Wednesday.

16,972 people have now died from the pandemic in Spain, up by 619 on Saturday.

On Saturday, Spain had recorded its lowest daily increase in deaths (510) since 23 March. Friday had seen an increase in deaths of 605 – with Thursday’s figure having been 683. Wednesday had seen an increase of 757 over Tuesday.

62,391 people have now made a full recovery.

Of the official figures announced, 46,587 confirmed cases are known to be in the Madrid region, and where 6,278 have died (from the total 16,972 across the country).

There are now 34,027 cases in Catalonia (3,442 deaths), 10,772 in the Basque Country (804 deaths), 10,006 in Andalusia (799), 13,698 in Castilla La Mancha (1,543) and 8,841 in Valencia region (838).

Figures for those infected with Coronavirus in other regions are as follows: Aragón 4,070 (450 deaths), Asturias 1,892 (140 deaths), Balearic Islands 1,534 (112), Canary Islands 1,918 (95), Cantabria 1,752 (110), Castilla y León 12,118 (1,221), Ceuta 93 (4), Extremadura 2,580 (312), Galicia 7,336 (274), Melilla 98 (2), Murcia 1,449 (97), Navarra 3,969 (232) and La Rioja 3,279 (219).

The Spanish Health Ministry has not been giving complete figures for the number of people in intensive care units (ICUs) for various days, because Spain’s regions have been using different methods to collate these figures.

It is important to add that the true number of deaths from Coronavirus in Spain could also be higher, since health authorities previously admitted that only those who died after testing positive have been included in the official death toll.

Some regional authorities have warned that the number of death certificates issued, particularly for those who have died in residential homes, is higher than the official death toll.

There have also been issues with the timing of statistics sent to Madrid’s Health Ministry from each region, particularly during the weekend periods. Figures issued on Tuesdays by the ministry have sometimes reflected statistics not taken into account during the reports issued on Saturday and Sunday.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus in Spain full update (11 April)

GLOBAL OVERVIEW

Easter Sunday is being celebrated in lockdown by over 2bn Christians throughout the world, as the global death toll from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has surpassed 100,000 – with at least 1.7m people infected.

Pope Francis will break with centuries of tradition by taking his Easter mass online, with St Peter’s Square, normally packed every year with worshippers, totally deserted.

‘As the days go by and fears grow, even the boldest hope can dissipate. Let us not give in to resignation … We can and must hope,’ said the pope.

The USA has now seen more than 20,000 deaths from Covid-19. President Donald Trump tweeted to state that he would be following an Easter service online – held by Dr.Robert Jeffress of ‘First Baptist Dallas’,  and a strong Trump supporter.

Italy, still the hardest-hit country in Europe, has recorded more than 19,000 confirmed virus deaths — second only to the USA. In Italy – as it also appears in Spain – the number of daily deaths is starting to level off, but the Italian government has resisted pressure to lift its lockdown, extending confinement measures until 3 May.

On Saturday the UK recorded its second highest daily toll, with another 917 hospital deaths, taking the total to nearly 10,000. Almost 80,000 people in the UK have tested positive for the virus. It was reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made ‘very good progress’ after being released from intensive care.

CORONAVIRUS in SPAIN

New restrictions

Although the ‘state of alarm’ lockdown in Spain has now been extended until 26 April, officially non-essential workers can now return to work.

Spain originally commenced its lockdown for two weeks from 14 March, with measures that confined everyone to their homes apart from leaving to purchase food or medication, or to go to their place of work only if they could not perform their duties from home. These initial measures were then extended until 12 April.

From Monday 30 March, further new measures ordered all non-essential workers in Spain to also remain at home until Thursday 9 April, thereby returning to work during or after the Easter weekend (Monday 13 April is a holiday in most regions of Spain).

Under the new extension of the original lockdown measures, therefore, all non-essential workers can now also officially return to work.

The Spanish government has stressed that the relaxing of the lockdown restrictions is only for industrial and construction workers, and for employees in sectors where working from home isn’t possible.

Retail shops, bars, restaurants and catering businesses (except for home delivery services) still remain closed.

The public must continue to remain at home unless they have legitimate reasons to leave the house. This again now includes going to work if you are considered an ‘essential worker’, or going to purchase essential supplies, for example to a supermarket, convenience store or chemist.

You are also allowed to leave home to walk your dog. Additionally, you are allowed to leave home to assist a ‘vulnerable’ person that you are responsible for, such as an elderly relative – but you might be required to show proof of this.

Only one person at a time is allowed to carry out any of these essential tasks. Couples or more than one family member cannot leave home together for the same reason.

The Spanish government has also asked citizens to wear face masks in public places and on public transport, where possible, and to continue the ‘social distancing’ of standing one or two metres from other people.

Face masks are not obligatory by law, however. Spain has so far had a shortage of face masks available for the public. The Spanish Interior Ministry said on Saturday that it would start distributing 10m face masks to public transport users from Monday 13 April.

Catalan government opposes relaxation of lockdown

The Catalan government has insisted that the total lockdown for non-essential workers should not be lifted on 13 April.

Catalan President Quim Torra has sent a letter to the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, stating that, ‘lifting these confinement measures … will lead to an increase of transmissions and a collapse of Catalonia’s health system’.

‘We request that you send us the health and epidemiological reports that Spain’s government has in order to lift the measures,’ the letter reads.

Torra claims that his stance is backed by scientists and researchers in Catalonia, as well as the health department experts, and almost all officials of hospitals, professional associations and other entities representing the health sector in Catalonia.

Below are the numbers to call for each region of Spain for information and assistance in the event of possible cases of Coronavirus – as issued by the Spanish health authorities.

Click here for further information (in Spanish) regarding Coronavirus from the Spanish Health Ministry.