Coronavirus surge in Spain’s youth puts regions on alert
Madrid, Jul 10 (EFE).- A surge of coronavirus infections threatens to hamper Spain’s Covid-19 strategy with some regional leaders calling for a reverse on the recent relaxation of restrictions on nightlife amid fears a fifth wave could scupper tourism and slow the economy’s tentative recovery.
The 14-day incidence rate has shot up to 253 cases per 100,000 people, according to the latest health ministry figures, although hospital admissions remain vastly lower than previous waves of the virus earlier this year.
The most noticeable uptick in infections by far has been reported in the largely unvaccinated 20-29 age group, which hit 911 per 100,000 on Friday, almost three times the national average, and those between 12-19, which reached 798 per 100,000.
The central Spanish government has so far resisted calls from regional leaders in Valencia, eastern Spain, and the Canary Islands, for more powers to implement tougher measures.
As Spanish youngsters continue to gather for nights out and impromptu street drinking gatherings, which is known as a botellon, authorities in Valencia want to reimpose a nightly curfew between midnight and 6am, while Canary Island officials want a curfew between 1am-6am on the island of Tenerife.
Just over 20 million of Spain’s 45 million people have received a full course of a Covid-19 vaccine.
del-pst/jt
