Positive cases soar in Marina Alta as Xàbia records 44
More than a quarter of all positive cases recorded in Xàbia since the health crisis began have been in the past 14 days.
Tuesday 22nd December 2020 | MIKE SMITH
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 44 new infections confirmed by PCR test since the last update with the total number of infections rising to 373 since the crisis began. The 14-day cumulative rate (IA)1 has risen substantially, now standing at 387.62 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, a rise of more than 40% over the weekend, and significantly higher than the national figure. Thankfully, the death toll remains at 3.
More than a quarter of all positive cases recorded in Xàbia since the health crisis began have been in the past 14 days.
The proposed Three Kings experience planned for the days before their Majesties arrive in Xàbia has been postponed due to the surge in infections in the region.
Marina Alta
The Dénia Health Authority, which covers the Marina Alta region, has recorded a 236 new infections since the last update, bringing the total to 2,637 positive cases since the crisis began. As a consequence, the 14-day IA rate has risen to 295.79 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants, a 175% rise over the past two weeks.
The death toll in the Marina Alta remains at 38.
The 236 new infections have been recorded in the following municipalities:
- El Verger – 79
- Dénia – 45
- Xàbia – 44
- Pego – 17
- Calp – 15
- Teulada – 8
- Ondara – 7
- Gata de Gorgos – 6
- Pedreguer – 6
- Benissa – 4
- Orba – 3
- Adsubia – 1
- Tormos – 1
Comunidad Valenciana
The 14-day IA rate for the Comunidad Valenciana has risen to 276.31, one of the highest rates in the country.
The positivity rate2 for the Comunidad Valenciana has risen to 16.54%, almost double the national average and beyond the level above which the situation can be considered as being “extreme risk”.
Ximo Puig, president of the Generalitat Valenciana, said that he expects that 76,000 people will receive the vaccine in the region from Sunday 27th December. He added that it is hoped that 170,000 people will have been immunized by the end of February 2021.
The Generalitat Valenciana has launched an operation involving 10,000 officers from the Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional to ensure compliance with the night curfew, especially on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as well as control the land borders and crack down on illegal parties. Social gatherings are limited to six people (unless from the same household) and failure to comply is regarded as a serious offence and offenders can be fined up to 30,000 euros; if there are people over 65 or young children in attendance, the maximum fine rises to 60,000 euros.
Spain
The national 14-day IA rate is 224.88, a rise of some 10% on the previous report.
The worst affected region remains the Balearic Islands, where the IA rate has risen to 406.97. Last weekend, the regional government decreed that all arrivals in the archipelago, even those from the mainland, must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
The Canary Islands have also seen significant rises over the past few days and the infection is spreading again through the Comunidad Valenciana, Extremadura, Madrid and Catalunya.
Spain prohibits flights from the UK
The Spanish Government has decided to suspend all flights arriving from the United Kingdom from tomorrow Tuesday 22nd December, joining many other countries in Europe and beyond in imposing restrictions on travel from the UK. Only those holding Spanish nationality or who are resident in Spain will be allowed to enter as the government aims to prevent a new, more infectious strain of the coronavirus entering the country.
Data Explanation
1 The IA rate is the number of new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days. It is considered the most accurate measure of the spread of the virus. The aim of the Spanish government is to lower this rate to 25.
2 The positivity rate refers to the percentage of all COVID-19 tests carried out which have come back positive. A high figure means that it doesn’t take many tests to come across a positive result.
Resource Links
COVID-19 C.Valenciana: Monitorage de la Situació
Ministero de Sanidad: Actualización nº 275 (21/12/2020)
El Pais
