Date Published: 09/05/2022
ARCHIVED - Hospitalisations and ICU admissions fall: Spain Covid update May 9
Infections are on the rise in Spain but this is not resulting in increased hospital pressure
Coronavirus data continues its relentless increase in Spain, leading many health experts to fear that the country is on the cusp of a seventh wave. On April 19, just after the Easter holidays, the incidence among people over the age of 60 stood at 505 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; now, just two weeks later, it has risen more than 170 points. Hospital occupancy rates have also increased in a general way since then, although the numbers “remain within an acceptable level,” according to the Spanish Minister for Health.
Covid experts maintain that it will become clear in the coming days whether a seventh wave has in fact arrived, but for now they all agree on one fact: while the uptick in infections was predictable as restrictions were removed, the increase in cases is no longer associated with an increase in serious illness. At the moment, hospital and ICU admissions remain relatively low, which the Ministry believes is a good indication that Spain can continue its “return to normality.”
Coronavirus infections
The Ministry of Health reported 62,695 new coronavirus cases on Friday May 6, compared to 49,143 infections registered on the same day last week, of which 29,284 have been diagnosed in people over 60 years of age.
In the past two weeks, a total of 83,323 positives have been registered in this age group, which brings the overall number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 11,896,152.
Meanwhile, the positivity rate stands at 28%, up from 26.18% on Tuesday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that this figure be below 5% to consider the spread of the virus as 'controlled'.
Cumulative incidence rate
The incidence in people over 60 years of age stands at 676.43 in the last 14 days per 100,000, compared to 608.16 on Tuesday.
Hospitalisations and fatalities
There are currently 6,362 people hospitalised with Covid throughout Spain (down from 6,455 on May 3) while 329 patients are being treated for more serious symptoms in the country’s ICUs (down from 364).
This data means that 5.12% of all hospital beds are occupied by coronavirus patients while the occupancy rate in intensive care has fallen to 3.66%.
In Friday’s report, 229 new Covid-related fatalities have been notified which brings the complete death toll since the start of the health crisis to 104,456.
In the last week, 252 people with a confirmed positive diagnosis have lost their lives in Spain.
Vaccination data
As of April 22, a total of 39,053,044 people, representing 92.6% of the population over the age of 12 are now double jabbed. In addition, 39,218,544 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: Archive
Loading
Read more about Coronavirus:
OR
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin to get a comprehensive email with all the week’s news for Spain, Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía.
Get a sneak peek – here are a few of our recent Subscription Bulletins:
50% Discount Special Offer subscription:
24.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268