Spain warns elderly to keep away from grandchildren as coronavirus cases soar
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Madrid authorities have advised the elderly to avoid contact with children as the country fights the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Fernando Simón, director of the Center for Health Coordination and Emergencies, said that while very few of those infected with the virus were children, “they are the ones that spread it through society.”
Simon warned against mixing between children and the elderly as Madrid announced the closures of schools, nurseries and universities until March 26.
Spanish authorities confirmed 487 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday bringing the total number to 2,182.
But in a country where only 4% of the population work from home, many working parents rely on grandparents to take care of their children.
According to a 2018 study, cited by AFP, one in four Spanish grandparents is in charge of the daily care of their grandchildren while parents work, including picking up children from school or preparing meals.
Spain said on Tuesday it would do “whatever is necessary” to try and stem a rising tide of coronavirus cases, shutting down schools in several regions, suspending flights from Italy and advising against all non-essential travel.
