The scenario in Spain with regard to the coronavirus has changed. By Tuesday afternoon there were more than 1,648 infections, some hospitals in Madrid were overwhelmed with patients, at least 101 people were in intensive care and there were 35 confirmed deaths from the Covid-19 disease, El Pais reports.
Spain shut down schools in several regions, suspended flights from Italy and closed the lower house of parliament for at least a week after a lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus, in the hope of stemming a growing outbreak.
According to Reuters, the government recommended avoiding travel both within and outside Spain and banned indoor gatherings of more than 1,000 people in the regions most affected by the virus – Madrid, the Rioja wine-growing region and two areas in the northern Basque Country.
“We are working on avoiding the Italian scenario,” Health Minister Salvador Illa told reporters. “With these measures we believe that we can avoid it. And if we have to take additional measures, we will take them.”
The lower and upper houses of parliament have suspended all activity for a week, and all sports competitions, whether professional or amateur, must be held behind closed doors.
These moves come after the central government on Monday recognized that there are outbreaks that are not under control and the containment phase of the virus is now over
