19th March 2024
Antigen tests for Covid-19 being carried out in Madrid region.
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Coronavirus in Spain figures (20 Oct)

Latest: Coronavirus in Spain figures (10 Nov)

Also read: Details of curfews & restrictions for all regions of Spain during ‘State of Alarm’

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Report below updated in Spain at 18.45h on Tues 20 Oct

CORONAVIRUS in SPAIN – latest Health Ministry figures

The latest official figure* released by the Spanish Health Ministry on Tuesday 20 October for the number of people who have tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) is now 988,322. This is an overall increase of 13,873 against the figure released on Monday – although the ministry claims that 5,314 of these infections have occurred in the past 24 hours.

There have now been 151,868 cases of Coronavirus detected in the past 14 days – out of the total 988,322. The figure for the past 7 days is 79,555.

Figures released today also show that 3,784 people have required hospital treatment in the past 7 days, with 283 in intensive care.

The official figure* for the total number of Coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday 20 October is now 34,210 – an increase of 218 since Monday. It is a total of 553 deaths in 7 days.

The current known peak of recorded deaths related to Coronavirus in a 24-hour period in Spain was on 2 April, when 950 deaths were registered.

Increase in infections

Figures released on Monday had shown an overall increase of 37,889 infections against Friday – with the ministry claiming that 3,750 had occurred in a 24 hour period.

Friday had seen an overall increase of 15,186 infections against Thursday – yet 6,591 in a 24 hour period. The ministry has not been updating its figures during the weekends since Friday 3 July.

The current peak of recorded infections for a 24-hour period in Spain was on 31 March, when 9,222 new cases were registered.

When Spain imposed its ‘state of alarm’ from Saturday 14 March, the Health Ministry had confirmed 4,231 known cases of Coronavirus at the time (figures from Friday 13 March), with 121 deaths. By Monday 16 March, there had been a further 4,960 infections. The total death toll on 16 March had increased to 309.

Of the 5,314 new infections registered in the past 24 hours by the Health Ministry on Tuesday 20 October, the numbers per region are as follows:

  • 1,358 in Madrid (28,782 new cases in past 14 days)
  • 718 in Aragón (7,163)
  • 613 in the Basque Country (8,080)
  • 578 in Navarra (6,560)
  • 386 in Andalusia (23,973)
  • 342 in Galicia (4,697)
  • 330 in Catalonia (28,722)
  • 210 in Asturias (2,655)
  • 176 in Extremadura (3,216)
  • 137 in La Rioja (1,741)
  • 117 in the Canary Islands (1,710)
  • 92 in Cantabria (934)
  • 81 in the Valencia Region (6,639)
  • 41 in the Balearic Islands (1,519)
  • 40 in Castilla La Mancha (7,003)
  • 36 in Castilla y León (12,075)
  • 14 in Murcia (5,359)
  • 7 in Ceuta (329)
  • 38 in Melilla (711)

A full breakdown of the data per region, together with age group statistics can be found by clicking here.

Antigen tests for Covid-19 being carried out in Madrid region.
Antigen tests for Covid-19 being carried out in San Sebastián de los Reyes in the Madrid region. (Comunidad.Madrid)

Health Minister considering ‘nationwide curfew’ via a new ‘state of alarm’

Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa said on Tuesday that a nationwide curfew in Spain is a ‘possibility’ if required to ‘control the second wave and flatten the curve’ of Coronavirus infections. But he also said that such a curfew would need to be covered under a new ‘state of alarm’. Read the full report here: Spain will consider ‘nationwide curfew’ via a new ‘state of alarm’

Restrictions during the ‘New Normality’

Following on from the Spanish government’s four phased plan to relax the country’s lockdown restrictions that took place during May-June, the country started its ‘New Normality’ on 22 June. It coincided with the central government ending the nationwide state of alarm that had been in place since 14 March. Since 22 June, responsibility for public healthcare and managing the Coronavirus pandemic has been left in the hands of Spain’s 17 regional governments.

On 14 August, however, Spain announced strict new measures on nightlife across the whole country – as well as a ban on smoking outside, where social distancing cannot be maintained. The wearing of face masks also remains obligatory. Each region of Spain has since imposed the nightlife and socialising restrictions following their own timetables – and some regions have made restrictions even tighter. In Catalonia, for example, all bars and restaurants have been closed for 15 days since Friday 16 October, permitting takeaway and delivery services only. A state of alarm was imposed on the region of Madrid on Friday 9 October, officially for a period of 15 days. Social gatherings in some regions are only permitted with up to a maximum of 6 peopleRead about the initial measures here: Spain imposes strict new measures on nightlife across the country

*Discrepancies in figures

Although the Health Ministry updated its official Coronavirus mortality figures on 19 June following on-going discrepancies with the data released by some of the country’s regional health authorities – there are still huge differences in the ‘excess mortality’ figures published for Spain during the first half of this year.

Click here for full report: Spain’s ‘excess mortality’ during Coronavirus pandemic is over 43,000

Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) published figures showing that the number of deaths for the first 21 weeks of 2020 were 24% higher than for the same period in 2019 – based on information received from the country’s civil registries (1 January to 24 May). The number of deaths during this period for 2020 was 43,945 higher than in 2019.

Click here for all previous reports on: Coronavirus in Spain

ALSO READ: Spain will consider ‘nationwide curfew’ via a new ‘state of alarm’

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ALSO READ: Catalonia’s hospitality industry protests against closure of bars & restaurants

ALSO READ: ‘State of Alarm’ imposed on Madrid 

ALSO READ: Coronavirus in Spain figures (19 Oct)

ALSO READ: Over 10.1m PCR tests carried out in Spain since start of pandemic

ALSO READ: Spanish government agrees plan with regions for return to school – full details

ALSO READ: Spain’s ‘New Normality’ – key points

ALSO READ: Face masks to remain compulsory until vaccine found, under ‘new normality’

ALSO READ: Lifting of lockdown in Spain – full details of all phases for all regions

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