CORONAVIRUS SPAIN: LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Health News
February 26, 2020
Below you will find the latest news, updates and official advice on the Coronavirus outbreak and how it affects citizens living in Spain.
For further information on the Covid-19 Coronavirus, you can download our free guide which contains answers to some of the most common questions and how to prevent being infected. Download the guide here.
Since the discovery at the end of December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the virus has infected over 614,052 and killed at least 28,238 people so far, with numbers growing daily.
It is important that you keep up to date on the latest developments and guidance, including how to avoid contracting the virus, preventing the spread and what to do if you experience any of the symptoms.
We will be updating the page as new information becomes available. Please be sure to share with your friends and family to help keep them informed.
Current Situation Spain
Government sources have stressed that measures are now in place to minimise the spread of the potentially deadly bug.
As of 28th March 2020 (@ 12:00 GMT+1), the Spanish Health Ministry has reported a total of 72,248 cases with 5,690 deaths.
Current death rate in Spain is 7.88% (+0.30% from yesterday) for those with COVID-19.
Below you can see the current numbers for each region of Spain as reported by the Spanish Health Ministry.
Andalucía 4277 (175 Deaths)
Aragón 1592 (58 Deaths)
Asturias 1004 (33 Deaths)
Baleares 862 (26 Deaths)
Canarias 1025 (36 Deaths)
Cantabria 937 (22 Deaths)
Castilla-La Mancha 4512 (448 Deaths)
Castilla y León 4791 (321 Deaths)
Cataluña 14,263 (1070 Deaths)
Ceuta 17 (1 Death)
C. Valenciana 4034 (234 Deaths)
Extremadura 1394 (88 Deaths)
Galicia 2772 (47 Deaths)
Madrid 21520 (2757 Deaths)
Melilla 45 (1 Death)
Murcia 802 (17 Deaths)
Navarra 1829 (70 Deaths)
País Vasco 5136 (221 Deaths)
La Rioja 1436 (65 Deaths)
Total 72,248 (5,690 Deaths)
Current Situation Worldwide
According to the WHO (World Health Organization) Situation Reports as of 28th March 2020 (12:00 GMT+1) there have been 614,052 confirmed cases globally with 28,238 deaths.
Current average death rate worldwide is 4.6% (+ 0.7% from yesterday) for those with COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is the Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a broad family of viruses that usually affect animals, however, some have the ability to be transmitted from animals to humans.
The virus is known to cause respiratory infections such as the common cold to more severe conditions such as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
The virus discovered in Wuhan, China has been named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)
The virus was given this name as it is genetically related to the Coronavirus that lead to the SARS outbreak in 2003.
The condition or disease that it leads to is referred to as COVID-19.
Who is most at risk from the Coronavirus?
Although health authorities are still learning about COVID-19 and how it impacts our health, we do know that certain people are more at risk than others.
The elderly, those with low immunity including those with pre-existing medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure) are more at risk and appear to develop serious illnesses more than others.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The symptoms produced from the Coronavirus are similar to those experienced with the common cold and flu. These include a sore throat, fever, cough, headaches and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, this can lead to Pneumonia, renal failure or death for those who are more vulnerable.
What is the Incubation Period?
The incubation period for the COVID-19 Coronavirus is between 1 and 14 days with an average of around 5 days. This is the amount of time that it usually takes for the symptoms of the virus to be displayed after the initial infection.
How does the Coronavirus spread?
The virus can spread from person to person via droplets from either the nose or mouth. These droplets are spread when a person coughs or sneezes and can be breathed in by others. This is why it is important to keep at least one metre between yourself and anyone who may be infected.
If the droplets land on a surface, others can become infected by touching the surface and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth, transferring the virus to themselves.
How can I avoid getting the Coronavirus?
The Spanish Health Ministry and World Health Organisation advises the following in order to reduce your chances of infection:-
The following video from the WHO explains how to protect yourself and others from the spreading the Coronavirus https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
What should I do if I think I have been infected?
If you are experiencing symptoms of the Coronavirus, make sure you protect others by coughing and sneezing into a tissue and disposing of it into a closed bin. You should also wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based scrub and soap and water.
Make sure that you stay at home and avoid mixing with other people.
Call your health practitioner as soon as possible and share any information with them including whether you have recently travelled.
Is there a vaccine for Coronavirus?
There is no current vaccine, however, the WHO is currently working with partners to develop a vaccine and medications to treat and prevent COVID-19.
For further information on the Covid-19 Coronavirus, you can download our free guide which contains answers to some of the most common questions and how to prevent being infected. Download the guide here.
Official Advice from the Spanish Ministry of Health and WHO
Below you can see the latest information and advice from Spain’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.
WHO (Situation Reports) - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
Spain Ministry of Health - https://www.mscbs.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/home.htm
Spain Ministry of Health (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/sanidadgob
Latest Coronavirus News Stories Related To Spain
Spain's State Of Alert Extended To April 12 As Coronavirus Deaths Soar - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/914-spains-state-of-alert-extended-to-april-12-as-coronavirus-deaths-soar.html
Spain’s Authorities Arrest 926 People For Flouting Lockdown Rules - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/913-spains-authorities-arrest-926-people-for-flouting-lockdown-rules.html
Spain Looks To Deploy Robots Testing 80,000 A Day - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/911-spain-looks-to-deploy-robots-testing-80000-a-day.html
Spain To Extend State Of Emergency By 15 Days - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/910-spain-seeks-to-extend-state-of-emergency-by-15-days.html
Coronavirus: 640,000 Tests Arrive In Spain - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/909-coronavirus-640000-tests-arrive-in-spain.html
Study Reveals Coronavirus Can Live In Air For Three Hours - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/907-study-reveals-coronavirus-can-live-in-air-for-three-hours.html
British Tourists Told To Return Home As Spanish Hotels Close - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/906-british-tourists-told-to-return-home-as-spanish-hotels-close.html
Spain's Coronavirus Death Toll Could Reach 87,000 If Measures Are Not Followed - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/905-spains-coronavirus-death-toll-could-reach-87000-if-measures-are-not-followed.html
Spain To Freeze Mortgage Payments For The Most Vulnerable - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/904-spain-to-freeze-mortgage-payments-for-the-most-vulnerable.html
UK Foreign Office Updates Information For Travel To Spain - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/903-uk-foreign-office-updates-information-for-travel-to-spain.html
Mercadona To Clamp Down On Panic Buying - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/spain-news/902-mercadona-to-clamp-down-on-panic-buying.html
Spain Will Extend State Of Emergency Beyond 15 Days - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/901-spain-will-extend-state-of-emergency-beyond-15-days.html
WHO Declares Global Coronavirus Pandemic - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/899-who-declares-global-coronavirus-pandemic.html
Coronavirus: Who Is Most At Risk? - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/898-coronavirus-who-is-most-at-risk.html
Coronavirus Spain map: The top regions in Spain struck down by killer virus - https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1252975/Coronavirus-spain-map-regions-in-spain-covid-19-coronavirus-latest
Spain Coronavirus Cases Pass 1,200 As Schools Are Closed - https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/health-news/896-spain-coronavirus-cases-pass-1200-as-schools-are-closed.html
Map of the coronavirus in Spain - https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/4171263/0/mapa-coronavirus-espana-evolucion-contagios-recuperados/
RTVE Coronavirus Map of Spain: https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20200302/mapa-del-coronavirus-espana/2004681.shtml
Latest Travel Advice From UK Government - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Sanitas HealthPlan Policy Holders Are Covered For Coronavirus
All Sanitas HealthPlan policyholders are fully covered if they are infected by the Covid-19 Coronavirus and require medical treatment as a result.
If you are living in Spain and are looking for private health cover for yourself and your loved ones, please check out our range of expat health insurance plans.
All of our health plans are in English, are underwritten by BUPA and provide you with access to an experienced team of native English speaking advisers.
Updated: 28/03/2020
