MADRID – For the first time since Christmas 2021, the average number of corona cases in the past 14 days has fallen below 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This comes on the same day as the government announces that some restrictions will be lifted from March 4.
The sixth corona peak in Spain still shows a downward trend. The Spanish Ministry of Health reported an average of 984 corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants on February 17. Since December 23, this figure has not fallen below 1,000. Although this figure fell in all Spanish regions, it is officially still a ‘high risk’. Only Andalucia is an exception with an incidence of 473 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Varying corona figures per target group in Spain
The number of infections among children under 12 is still the highest in Spain. The average last week incidence in this group is 811 per 100,000 for vaccinated children. And for unvaccinated children, this number is 1,416 cases per 100,000.
Vaccinated people between 60 and 79 are the target group with the lowest corona figures: In the past week, 346 cases per 100,000 people tested positive within this group. This group, on the other hand, shows the highest incidence (5,885 cases per 100,000) among people of this age who have not been vaccinated.
How high is the pressure on Spanish hospitals?
The pressure on hospitals in Spain is called average. 8.77% of regular hospital beds are currently occupied by corona patients, compared to 14.5% of beds in intensive care. Although the numbers are also falling here, Catalonia still shows the highest percentage: 20.3% of IC beds in this Spanish region are occupied by corona patients. On the other hand, Andalucia, Asturias, La Rioja and Extremadura show optimistic figures. With the occupancy figures in these regions, there is officially a low risk.
How is vaccination progressing in Spain?
Spain is slowly working towards the 100 million administered vaccines. Including the children in Spain, 86.6% of the population has been vaccinated at least once and 81.9% has received two vaccinations. 49.9% of adult Spaniards have now received a booster shot. Of the children under 12 years of age, 12.4% have been fully vaccinated and 56.7 percent have received one shot.
Spanish government comes with relaxation
The announcement of these figures comes on the same day that Public Health announces that it will implement some relaxation. For example, events and sports competitions can take place at full capacity from March 4. Minister Darias said that the hygiene measures – wearing a face mask, not smoking before, after, and during events, and a ban on alcohol and food during events – will be maintained for the time being.
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