Spain has one of the strictest containments in the world, aimed at fighting the coronavirus epidemic. The second most affected country on the planet, Spain has launched a state of emergency since March 15. The current decree would run until April 25, but Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister, has just announced his extension of 15 additional days, that is until May 9, inclusive. Children, victims of this very strict confinement, will be able to start going out on the street from April 27. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant, tells you all about the encouraging numbers of the coronavirus epidemic in Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the extension of the state of emergency until midnight on May 9 with a softening of measures to combat Covid-19 for young people from April 26. "I will propose to Parliament that the state of emergency be extended for 15 days until midnight May 9," said Sánchez in a television address this Saturday April 18.
The head of the Spanish government explained that he will communicate to the presidents of the Spanish autonomous communities the intention to extend the exception period and that the Council of Ministers will approve the proposal, which will have to be ratified by the parliament, which should happen. over the next week.
Pedro Sánchez also expressed the wish of the executive to "loosen" the containment measures from April 27, namely to give minors "the opportunity to leave their home and enjoy a moment outside" . Spain has one of the strictest confinements in the world for its young people, and many psychologists have warned of the dramatic consequences of prolonged confinement for children.
"Gradually we will take more action and I hope it will be done as soon as possible," said Sánchez, while warning that if "trend reversals" were detected in the fight against Covid-19, the decisions would be reviewed and further action would be taken.
The head of the Spanish executive considered that the situation in the fight against the pandemic is still "insufficient" and "fragile", and cannot be put "in danger by hasty decisions". The criteria issued by the WHO to be able to lift the containment have not yet been met, he said.
According to Pedro Sánchez, "the rate of progression of the disease" went from a situation, before the entry into force of the state of emergency, in which a patient infected "three others" to "an infected person n 'infect no other ".
According to data from the Spanish health authorities, the increase in the number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospitalized remained at 2%. "We know that in these two places, in hospital beds and especially in ICU, there is an accumulation effect, so that, although the figures are better than last week, they are still in a situation of high stress, especially knowing that the number of intensive care beds has increased significantly in recent weeks to respond to the pandemic, "said Simon.
The "state of emergency" has been in effect in Spain since March 15 and until April 25, the head of government stressing that 42% of those diagnosed are already cured of Covid-19, "one of the most higher of affected countries. "
The evolution of the coronavirus epidemic, marked in recent days by a decrease in emergency room admissions, hospitalizations and patients in intensive care units, is now centered on the significant increase in the infected detected, due to the increase in the number of tests performed.
Spain is the second country in the world with the most deaths per million inhabitants (429 deaths), after Belgium (471) and before Italy (384) and France (296), in a list where the The United States has 116 and Portugal 67.