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ARCHIVED - Slight decrease in hospitalisations: Spain Covid update January 21
The cumulative incidence rate in Spain has dropped for the third day in a row
After almost three months without let-up, the Covid cumulative incidence rate has dropped in Spain for the third consecutive day, and although the decreases are slight they are a solid indication that the sixth wave may be coming to an end.
These sentiments have been echoed by the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, this week, who said that although infection rates are still high, “up to seven times higher than those observed on the same day a year ago,... the probability of hospitalisations is up to eight times lower than last year.”
Coronavirus infections
The autonomous communities have notified the Ministry of Health on Thursday January 20 of 157,447 new infections, 55,002 of which were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.
These figures are lower than on the same day last week, when 159,161 positives were reported and similar to the numbers recorded yesterday.
These figures bring the total number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 8,834,363.
Cumulative incidence rate
The 14-day incidence rate experienced its first decrease in 11 weeks on Tuesday and it has now dropped for the third day in a row to reach 3279 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Despite these signs of a weakening sixth wave, the incidence rate across Spain remains at a very high risk level, although 12 regions have registered a decline in the last 24 hours.
Aragon, Navarra and the Basque Country have all reported notable drops after breaching the 7,000-case mark some time ago. Andalucía has registered a slight increase to 1,361 cases per 100,000 inhabitants but still remains the lowest in the country. On the other hand, both the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community have increased slightly, to 5,126 and 3,277 cases respectively.
Children under the age of 11 have once again returned to the top of the list for Covid incidence, with a rate of 4,212 cases per 100,000 after a notable slowdown in vaccination uptake in this age group.
On the other hand, the most vulnerable groups, who are now being covered by a booster jab, continue to have the lowest rates in the country.
Hospitalisations and fatalities
Even though infections continue to soar, there are positive signs that hospital pressure may be beginning to ease, albeit only slightly. There are currently 18,934 patients admitted to hospital for Covid across Spain, a decrease on the 19,000 registered on Wednesday, while ICU patients have also fallen a little, from 2,230 to 2,204.
While general occupancy is 15.2%, the number of beds taken up by Covid patients in the ICU is at 23.3%. This is a decrease on yesterday’s figure but it is still at the high risk level.
More worryingly, several regions including the Valencian Community are at very high risk.
Unfortunately, the positive trend in incidence is not reflected in the number of daily deaths, since 162 Covid-related fatalities were reported on January 20. This is a large increase on the 112 deaths notified on the same day last week and brings the overall death toll since the start of the health crisis to 91,599.
Vaccination data
A total of 38,212,331 people have now received their full vaccination schedule in Spain, representing 90.6% of those over the age of 12. In addition, 39,029,731 people have received their first dose, 92.5%.
According to the Ministry, as of Thursday, 13,714,334 booster jabs had been administered while 1,654,219 children between the ages of 5 and 11 have already received their first jab.
See also: How to obtain a Covid passport and How to book an appointment for a vaccination or booster jab in Spain
Image: Archive
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