Coronavirus update on February 21st

SPAIN

After weeks with severe restrictions in the different autonomous communities, the incidence curve declines across the country and some of these measures have finally begun to soften. Nonetheless, according to the Ministry of Health’s traffic light, Spain is still far above extreme risk.

Currently, the accumulated incidence in the last 14 days is 385.65 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 31 points less than Monday. And only two autonomous communities, Melilla and Madrid, have more than 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

The hospital occupancy situation continues to be very serious, especially in ICUs, which have 37% of their available places caring for patients in a severe state of coronavirus.  It has dropped six-tenths compared to Monday, following a steady downward path in recent days, which is considered a favorable figure of the incidence’s evolution. 

In the last seven days, the death toll has been 1,290 inhabitants. According to the director of the Center for the Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies, Fernando Simón, there seems to be stabilization and a decrease in the number of deaths, which he hopes to confirm in coming days.

Regarding the vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health has distributed 483,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as of today. Simón claims that for this reason, the incidence in people over 65 who live in residences is already lower than that of people of that age who do not live in these types of centers.

COMMUNITY OF MADRID 

In response to the decline in the incidence curve in the Community of Madrid, the authorities have decided to make more flexible the restrictions imposed. Consequently, Madrid’s curfew will begin at 11:00 pm and end at 6:00 am as of tomorrow.

In general, all establishments open to the public will have the legally authorized closing time, and in no case may it exceed 10:00 pm. Establishments that provide or perform necessary and unavoidable services exempt from this limitation. 

After 10 pm, no new customers can be admitted to hotels or restaurants. All establishments must close at the latest at 11:00 pm. Takeaway food services with pick-up at the establishment will be allowed until 23:00 and home delivery services until 00:00. 

The maximum occupancy per table of four people indoors and six people in outdoor terraces is maintained.

CASTILE AND LEON

Castile and Leon’s authorities do not intend to relax the restrictive measures against the coronavirus as they consider that the current situation is not appropriate to slow down.

 From now on, the curfew begins at 10:00 pm, but nonessential activities such as hospitality still have a maximum time of 8:00 pm. Meaning that in practice, citizens may be on the street until 10 pm, but nonessential establishments will be closed from 8 pm.

Moreover, the maximum number of people in the meetings was reduced from six to four at homes and outside. The authorities have urged citizens to maintain the minimum and essential social relationships.

REST OF EUROPE

The incidence curves and hospital pressure appear to be decreasing in several European countries. Nevertheless, their guards remain up in all areas to avoid another outbreak and stabilize the situation as soon as possible. 

Whereas the cases in United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain continue to decline, the infections still increase in Italy. Therefore, new measures have been established in the country to control it.