New infections, hospitalizations spike in Spain

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spain saw new coronavirus infections surge to near-record levels on Tuesday, with the Health Ministry reporting 23,700 new cases.

The daily surge is up by more than 9,500 compared to the same day last week, and approaching the daily record set on Oct. 30, 2020 when close to 25,600 infections were reported.

As many as 352 COVID-19 deaths were also confirmed, bringing the tally to 51,430.

Even the number of hospitalizations saw a significant spike, with 383 more active COVID-19 patients being treated compared to Monday. Of all the available intensive care units, 23% are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Hospitals in Valencia, in particular, are feeling the pressure, where the number of COVID-19 patients is approaching the highest point since the pandemic began. Gymnasiums and an out-of-use hospital are now being employed to treat the patients.

The port city has announced fresh restrictions to limit contagion, including closing bars and restaurants at 5:00 p.m. local time (1600GMT) and putting a perimetral confinement around the region until the end of January.

La Rioja and Extremadura have also announced new limitations on movement.

Adding to the concern around increased infections after Christmas and New Year celebrations is the growing circulation of the new coronavirus variant said to be more contagious.

So far, Spain has confirmed more than 50 cases of the new strain, while genome sequencing is being carried out on hundreds more suspected cases.

Meanwhile, new data released by the government showed that more than 360,000 people lost their jobs in 2020, the year which saw the highest jump in unemployment since 2009.