Delta variant takes Spain: fifth wave of COVID-19 spreads among young people and alerts all of Europe

The fifth wave, at least among young people, is already a fact in Spain. The epidemic situation caused some the autonomous communities are coming back to impose restrictive measures that allow the speed of reproduction of new infections to be slowed down. Valencia did it this Thursday, with a 0:30 time limit for nightlife.

The Ministry of Health yesterday notified 17,384 new infections and 17 deaths across the country. The cumulative incidence rises by 27 points to 252 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the last 14 days.

However, the focus is on young people. Between 20 and 29 years, the incidence climbs by 96 points to 814 cases. This contrasts with the death figures: in eight autonomous communities, no coronavirus deaths have been recorded in a week.

Infobae visited Madrid and Barcelona, ​​to see how ten days after the abolition of the use of masks outside and the opening of borders, Spain has returned to the European podium of the countries most infected by the coronavirus.

A different situation

The Delta variant, which is growing rapidly around the world, is already dominant in several Spanish communities. Up to 60% more contagious, this lineage progresses unevenly in communities, but It is already in the majority at least in Madrid, Catalonia, the community of Valencia and Navarre.

The latest health report estimates its presence in around 11% of cases, although authorities argue that by repeating the image of the world, the reproduction of the virus would be greater, in addition to being already predominant over the Alpha variant, is originally from the UK.

However, as infections increase exponentially, the hospital situation and the serious pictures do not follow the same curve. In the case of Madrid, it has not even recorded any deaths from coronavirus for the first time in a year.

In the journal of the Ministry of Health of the Spanish capital, July 28, 2020, no deaths were recorded. It was the first time this had happened after the passage of the first wave of Covid 19, which left 15,198 dead. Since then, 9,120 more people have died in Madrid. This Wednesday July 7, almost a year later, this 0 was repeated in the community report.

The difference between the first epidemic and this news is notorious. While full containment produced that figure last year, the deceased’s data would now be linked to the vaccination campaign. In Madrid, and even if it is the autonomy that receives the most doses, it is the one that administers the fewest doses of those it receives (81.7%).

The fear of sinking the summer season

The sector on high alert is again tourism and entertainment. In Catalonia, where Infobae was able to verify the return of restrictions in Barcelona, ​​from Friday the impossibility of opening indoor spaces for 15 days will be added in the nightlife sector.

The concern, both in Madrid and Barcelona, ​​made Although people are not required to circulate with masks or face masks on streets or open spaces, their widespread use continues as a barrier against the spread. Controls in restaurants, bars and hotels are becoming more and more strict for fear of the return of closures or more severe measures.

Consulted by Infobae, a manager of a hotel in the Barceloneta district, in the Catalan capital, explained that they will again include temperature control among guests to “Fear of contagions and closures”

But it is not only in Catalonia that the limitations come. In Galicia, it will be necessary to present a negative PCR for a maximum of 48 hours, in all its locations currently at medium risk. Cantabria will also add several municipalities to the closure measures and in Navarre a curfew has since been reinstated after midnight.

With the emphasis placed on virulence among young people, the “bottles”, for the Spaniards, the way of evoking the massive gatherings of young people in open spaces, and where music, dance and alcohol consumption mingle, they begin to be persecuted and banned by the authorities.

In the Basque Country, these meetings are expressly prohibited and in Castilla y León, curfews could also come back. Meanwhile, in high season, although with fewer European tourists, the Balearic Islands limit the capacity of bars and restaurants.

Health strikes back with selective testing and monitoring

The President’s Government, Pedro Sánchez does not want to approve extraordinary measures to fight the fifth wave of the coronavirus, with alarming data in recent weeks.

Health Minister Carolina Darias told regional leaders at an inter-jurisdictional meeting that there are already measures to avoid using more restrictive ones like those being proposed.

Darias insisted on strengthening case tracking and made five million antigen tests available to communities for selective screening and to army trackers to locate positive contacts.

The Spanish authorities do not want newspaper headlines on a “fifth wave”. This is why they mean that the most recent infections can be traced back to youth parties. With an active social dynamic, and even without being reached by a complete vaccination plan, They insist that they can be controlled and that there is space for tourism and coexistence with regrowth. The hospital situation, the small serious cases, testify to this.

Warnings from Europe

The Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, advised this morning to a French media that citizens avoid traveling to Spain and Portugal during holidays, due to the risk posed by the transmission of the delta variant of the coronavirus, initially recorded in India.

“For those who have not yet booked their holidays, avoid Spain and Portugal,” says Clément Beaune. “We are not ruling out any track, but the Delta variant is everywhere in Europe. We are particularly monitoring the situation in countries where the epidemic is very rapid, in particular Portugal and Catalonia ”.

In the coming days, “reinforced measures” could be taken on these destinationsthe official warned.

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