Spain, the fourth country most affected by Covid-19 in the world and the second in Europe after Italy, has ordered the closure of all hotels in the territory from Thursday March 19, and for seven working days to stem the progression of the pandemic. Only long-term accommodation establishments will remain open, provided that they have the infrastructure necessary for their occupants to comply with the almost total confinement currently imposed in the country.

"The hardest days are coming (...) We will continue to see an increase in cases and this will be the case until we approach the peak of the curve", warned the Minister of Health, Salvador Illa. Covid-19 killed 767 people in Spain, up from 598 on Wednesday, and the number of cases detected exceeds 17,000, according to statistics released Thursday. To date, 1,107 patients have been declared cured, according to the ministry. The number of cases has increased by 25% since Wednesday, and could increase significantly as the tests are performed.

"Unsustainable" situation

Another measure to deal with the explosion of cases: the incorporation into the public health system of thousands of medical students, doctors in specialization or qualified nurses who have not obtained a place in public health . "More than 30,000 professionals are available and have been gradually incorporated," said the minister, who also plans to hire 14,000 retired doctors and nurses.

In a press release, the College of Physicians denounced the "unsustainable" situation of caregivers who sometimes work without protective equipment. To make up for this lack of equipment, the authorities have collected, thanks in particular to the searches of the police, 1.5 million masks.

Aid also came from the private sector. In the Valence region, the seamstresses in the small village of Pedrel have notably produced 10,000 masks. According to the press, the giant Inditex (Zara), also plans to make masks in its factories.

Closed borders

The health system is in an extremely tense situation, with nearly 1,000 out of more than 4,000 intensive care beds already receiving coronavirus patients in the country. In order to free up space in hospitals in the Madrid region, the most affected, a hotel began Thursday to receive patients not requiring hospitalization, and others will follow.

Since the entry into force on Saturday of the state of alert, the 46 million inhabitants of the country can only leave their homes for essential activities: going to work or to the pharmacy and shopping for food.

The borders with France and Portugal are closed, in collaboration with these two neighbors, and 996 people were refused entry to Spain.

With AFP

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