Spain’s New Virus Cases, Deaths Both Decline Before Curbs Eased

(Bloomberg) --

Spain recorded a drop in the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths, as the nation moves toward a gradual easing of restrictions on public life after more than six weeks in lockdown.

The number of fatalities rose by 301 to 23,822 in the 24 hours through Tuesday, compared with Monday’s increase of 331, according to Health Ministry data. Total confirmed cases increased by 1,308 to 210,773 after rising by 1,831 Monday.

The latest figures on new infections reflect updated reporting standards adopted in recent days. Previously, the government included people who had virus antibodies in its overall figure, but now the daily total only includes patients who are confirmed positive using a testing technique known as PCR.

There has been a steady decline in the number of new infections and deaths in recent weeks in Europe’s most extensive outbreak and the government is moving ahead with cautious plans to restart the battered economy.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s cabinet will discuss easing the lockdown on Tuesday, with details expected to be announced after the meeting. The government has said that regions where the outbreak has been less severe will be reactivated first, and some industry sectors will reopen before others.

From May 3, people will be allowed to exercise outdoors and go for walks with family for the first time since the state of emergency was declared March 14. Children were allowed out in the company of one adult already from Sunday.

A crucial government concern is to avoid a resurgence of the disease. A lack of discipline under looser rules could return Spain to a situation “that’s even more difficult than we’ve seen so far,” Fernando Simon, the government’s top epidemiologist, said Monday.

To help prevent a renewed increased in infections, the government on Monday began the first random tests for antibodies to determine how many people may have been exposed without showing symptoms. Officials said they selected 90,000 residents of all ages across Spain.

Nursing homes, where a large proportion of Spain´s Covid-19 deaths have occurred, will, however, be excluded from testing because they don’t fit into the criteria of “households,” said Raquel Yotti, one of the health officials leading the investigation.

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