VIRUS UPDATE: Xàbia infection rate drops into single figures for the first time since mid-March

Friday 14th May 2021 – Compiled by MIKE SMITH

No new positive cases were detected in Xàbia, according to the latest update from the regional health ministry, meaning that the number of positive cases recorded in the town since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 1,458.

In addition, the municipality’s 14-day IA rate, a measure of the speed at which the virus moves through the population, has dropped to 7.14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the first time is has dropped into single figures since March 17th and a figure which places the town in the ‘New Normal’ category of infection. In addition, there have been no new deaths since late March and the number for Xàbia remains at 12.

In the Marina Alta regions, there have been 16 new positive cases detected in the Dénia Health Authority – which covers the Marina Alta – which means that the 14-day IA rate has dropped slightly to 33.99 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and the region remains in the ‘Low Risk’ category. There have been no new deaths since the beginning of the month and the region’s toll remains at 202.

Dénia leads the way with new positive cases, accounting for 6, whilst Benissa is just one behind with 5, Calp detected three new cases and Adsubia and El Vergel one each. The municipalities of Senija and Adsubia are in the ‘High Risk’ category for the spread of the virus, Xaló, Teulada and Benissa are in the ‘Medium Risk’ category, whilst Gata de Gorgos, Calp, Orba, Dénia, Poble Nou de Benitatxall and El Vergel are currently considered ‘Low Risk’. The rest of the Marina Alta is coloured green – the ‘New Normal’ category.

Spain

Spain’s 14-day IA rate is 166.32 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, placing the country in the ‘High Risk’ category. The rate has dropped almost 28% in the past two weeks, along with the Positivity Rate, the measure of how many coronavirus tests return positive, which has dropped to 5.81%, its lowest level since the end of March; a value of 5% or less would be indicative that transmission of the virus was under control.

Across the autonomous regions, the País Vasco still leads the way with a 14-day IA rate of 333,30, placing it firmly in the highest ‘Extreme Risk’ category along with three others – Madrid, Melilla and Aragón – whilst Ceuta (26.13) joins the Comunidad Valenciana (32.09) in the ‘Low Risk’ level. Infection spread has dropped in all regions for the first time since the beginning of March and has dropped in all the autonomous communities and cities in Spain over the past two weeks, the biggest falls being in Ceuta and Asturias.

The newspaper El País has reported that the United Kingdom’s decision to leave Spain off its “green list” of countries has sparked alarm bells in the Spanish tourism industry. As it stands, the country is on the “amber list” which means that holidaymakers returning from Spain will have to provide a negative test on arrival, quarantine at home for 10 days and take two further tests whilst doing so. Meanwhile, from May 20th, Brits shouldn’t have to provide proof of a negative PCR test when arriving in Spain – but this will be dependent on the UK government moving the country into its “green list”. With the German government recommending against non-essential travel abroad, two of Spain’s biggest tourism markets will clearly be affected, putting Spain’s economic recovery at risk. In 2019, more than 39 million visitors came from the UK and Germany; without them, the country stands to lose 3 billion euros during May and June, compared to two years ago.

Spain has approved the Janssen single-dose vaccine for administration to the under-60s with the first age group to receive it being the 50-59 group as well as vulnerable people such as those with major disabilities. In addition, it has opted to extend the period of time between AstraZeneca jabs from 12 weeks to 16 weeks as research continues into its safety or whether a shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines as a second jab can be used.

Vaccination (13.05.21)

Spain has administered 21,071,960 doses of vaccine, which is 91.2% of those which it has already received. A total of 6,716,156 people have completed the recommended course, which is 16.7% of the total of the population which is to be vaccinated (40,129,822).

According to the latest data provided by the health authorities, 90.0% of people aged 60 and over in Spain have received at least one dose, with 43.9% having completed the recommended course.

The Comunidad Valenciana has administered 2,144,330 doses of vaccine, which is 92.6% of the total which it has received. A total of 681,403 people have completed the recommended course, which 16.0% of the population which is to be vaccinated (4,289,305).

According to the latest data provided by the health authorities, 89.7% of people aged 60 and over in the Comunidad Valenciana have received at least one dose, with 43.9% having completed the recommended course.

LINKS

• Actualización nº 374. Enfermedad por el coronavirus (COVID-19). 13.05.2021
• GIV COVID-19 Gestión integral de la vacunación COVID-19
• COVID-19 C. Valenciana: Monitoratge de la situació