5 new infections in Xàbia; Marina Alta records 44

This is the latest information on the status of the health situation in Xàbia, the Marina Alta, the Comunidad Valenciana and across Spain.

For more information, please refer to the links given at the bottom of the page as our report is based on the official figures given in these sources.

Xàbia

Xàbia has recorded 5 new infections confirmed by PCR test since the last update with the total number of infections rising to 237 since the crisis began. Consequently, the 14-day cumulative rate (IA) has dropped, now standing at 65.21 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants. The death toll remains at 3.

In the latest report from the health authorities, Xàbia was listed amongst 55 new outbreaks registered across the Comunidad Valenciana, a flare-up of four cases of social origin being detected.

Marina Alta

The Dénia Health Authority, which covers almost all of the Marina Alta region, has recorded 44 new infections since the last update bringing the total to 1,975 positive cases since the crisis began.

The 14-day IA rate has dropped very slightly to 78.02 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest since the end of October. The rate is the second lowest rate in the whole Comunidad Valenciana, after Manises (70.46).

The death toll in the Marina Alta climbs one to 37 after Calp recorded its fifth fatality from COVID-19.

The new infections have been recorded in the following municipalities:

• Pedreguer – 8
• Dénia – 7
• Gata de Gorgos – 6
• Xàbia – 5
• Benissa – 4
• Calp – 4
• Pego – 4
• El Vergel – 2
• Ondara – 2
• Orba – 1
• Teulada – 1

Comunidad Valenciana

The 14-day IA rate has dropped over 14% since last update to 234.72 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest on the mainland, only bettered by Extremadura (232.55).

The IA rates across all 24 health authorities have fallen since the last update and, on average, there has been a 3% drop in the rate over the past 14 days. It’s a small decrease but one that’s moving in the right direction.

The regional health ministry will decide this week if nightlife venues throughout the Comunidad Valenciana can re-open during the daytime hours offering an alternative, such as cafeteria or normal bar service. The venues have been closed since August 14th.

Spain

Nationwide, the 14-day IA rate continues to drop and now stands at 275.51 new infections in 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest figure since October 15th. All 19 autonomous communities and enclaves saw their rates drop over the weekend, with Extremadura, Navarra, País Vasco, and Murcía experiencing decreases of over 50% in the past two weeks. The highest rate remains in Castilla y León (431.12) and the lowest in the Canary Islands (77.46).

The number of new infections over the weekend was the lowest recorded since August whilst pressure on hospitals is beginning to ease. However, the Ministry of Health reported that the country suffered 9,200 deaths during November, the highest monthly figure since April.

With Christmas just over three and half weeks away, city centres across Spain were packed with shoppers last weekend, raising alarm bells with the health authorities who have called on the public to act responsibly to prevent a new spike in infections. Crowds flooded the streets in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga, amongst others, to see the festive lights, prompting the Secretary of State for Health Silvia Calzón to urge people to be more aware of the situation: “We would like to make a call for responsibility and prudence. It has taken a lot of work and sacrifice to flatten the curve. If we like Christmas, let’s ensure that we are all here for next Christmas – it’s worth the sacrifice.”

Both central and regional governments are due to confirm the measures which will be in place over the festive period and they will be hoping to learn from the mistake of easing restrictions too much, as happened during the summer, a strategy that allowed the virus to spread through the population again and spark the ‘second wave’ that has only just peaked a few weeks ago. Health experts are already warning that Christmas will be very different this year and prime minister Pedro Sánchez has reiterated that the health precautions must be prioritized over any other resolution in order to avoid a ‘third wave’ of infections in the New Year; some health experts consider that a rise in infections will be inevitable, whatever the measures put in place. But, as one professor of public health at the University of Valencia suggested, referring to the disastrous summer: “People have learned a lesson and will be more careful.”

COVID-19 C.Valenciana: Monitorage de la Situació
Ministero de Sanidad: Actualización nº 261 (30/11/2020)
El Pais